Easter Island
~ Rapa Nui ~
Easter Island
And they all fell down . . . 1838 was the last time an outside visitor documented seeing any of the statues standing. The islanders themselves are to blame for the destruction and there are two theories as to why. When an important member of a tribe died, a statue was erected so their spiritual power, or mana, could protect their tribe and influence events long after their death. Theory One ~ As the natural resources on and around the island were depleted there was inter-tribal warfare and the statues were knocked down by opposing tribes to ensure they no longer held any power. They were almost always thrown forward so their faces and eyes were no longer visible and every attempt was made to break them at the neck. Theory Two ~ The islanders may have just lost faith in the power of the moai after seeing all their resources disappear year after year.
Restored but still deteriorating Efforts have been made by many different countries to restore some platforms (ahu) to their original condition. The wind and sea continue to erode the statues and those that were left face down are in better condition because of it. Ahu Akivi was excavated and restored in 1960 making it the first platform on the island to be restored .
Ahu Tongariki Perhaps the most famous, this platform was restored between 1992 and 1996 paid for by the Japanese Government. It is the largest with 15 standing moai and features the largest ceremonial structure in all of Polynesia. In 1960 a Tsunami hit the island with Tongariki receiving the brunt of it. This scattered the already fallen moai causing considerable damage. The moai lying on it’s back fell during transport and was never erected. The moai standing on it’s own is known as the “travelling moai” having successfully left the island to tour Japan in 1982.
Anakena & Ahu Nau Nau
Ahu Tahai Tahai is the only place you will find a moai restored with eyes. The original eyes were made of white coral with a pupil of red scoria stone. The museum houses the only authentic partial eye on the island and only a handful of others have ever been found. Remnants of a distinctive boat shaped house can be also be found here. These houses were reserved for the higher ranking villagers.
Rano Raraku This is the quarry where the moai were carved and home to almost 400 left unfinished. The mysterious Tukuturi also resides here. He is the only kneeling moai and made from red scoria stone instead of the tuff found here.
Puna Pau The red scoria quarry where all of the pukao (topknots) were carved. There were only about 100 topknots found meaning they were later addition to the statues. Some believe they represent hats and others a hairstyle with long hair tied up in a bun.
Caves There are many caves (anas) throughout the island that were used as temporary shelter or permanent residence. They were also used as hiding places during the slave raids of 1862 when the Peruvians came and forcibly removed up to 1,500 Rapanui people, many of whom were chiefs and wise men.
Rano Kau This massive crater lake is over 1 km in diameter and the surface is covered with mats of freshwater reeds. Interestingly, these are the same reeds that are found on Lake Titicaca in Peru.
Orongo A ceremonial site used for the Birdman competition in which the tribal chiefs would select one of their men to race down the cliffs, swim to the islet (motu) offshore and wait for the Sooty Tern to lay it’s egg. The one who returned to Orongo with the egg intact would be declared the winner and his chief would be crowned the Birdman to rule for the next year.
Odds & Ends
First Row: The Kaimana Inn and view Second Row: Town of Hanga Roa Third Row: Te Pito Kura - said to possess healing powers, our rental car and new friend