Mystery of How Moai Statues Were Erected on Easter Island Solved

Moai statues crossed Easter Island. Credit: David Berkowitz / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Archaeologists person resolved a long-standing enigma surrounding however the monolithic Moai statues were moved and erected crossed Easter Island. New probe confirms that tiny groups of the island’s autochthonal Rapa Nui radical utilized ropes to displacement the towering figures into place, revealing an businesslike method shaped by constricted resources and ingenuity.

The study, published successful the Journal of Archaeological Science, explains that the statues were maneuvered successful an upright presumption utilizing a controlled rocking question on specially prepared roads. This approach, which progressive guiding the statues guardant successful a zigzag pattern, fits some the scenery of Easter Island and the plan of the Moai themselves.

Researchers developed high-resolution 3D models of the statues to analyse their structure. They recovered that the Moai were intentionally crafted with broad, D-shaped bases and a guardant tilt—features that made them perfect for upright movement.

These plan elements enactment the mentation that the figures were not dragged level but alternatively “walked” by coordinating teams pulling with ropes from either side.

Replica Experiment Proves Upright Movement Possible

To trial the theory, the squad built a full-scale, 4.35-ton (9,590 pounds) replica of a Moai with the aforesaid forward-leaning design.

Using 18 people, they moved the replica 100 meters (328 feet) successful conscionable 40 minutes. Carl Lipo, a co-author of the survey and archaeologist astatine Binghamton University, explained that erstwhile the statue began moving, it required amazingly small effort. Participants pulled with 1 arm, conserving vigor portion maintaining momentum.

Moai statues lasting connected ceremonial platforms (ahu) connected Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Credit: Kirk K / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Lipo noted that the method appears to go adjacent much effectual with larger statues. As the size increases, the method’s ratio and necessity go much apparent, suggesting it whitethorn person been the lone applicable solution disposable to the Rapa Nui.

Ancient roads connection carnal grounds of question strategy

The probe besides highlights the value of the island’s past roadworthy system. Archaeologists discovered aggregate roads, each astir 4.5 meters (14.8 feet) wide with a concave shape, which apt helped stabilize the statues during transport.

Lipo explained that these roads were not lone paths but portion of the statue-moving process itself. In galore cases, roads overlapped oregon ran parallel, indicating that caller sections were cleared and utilized progressively arsenic the statues were moved.

The squad explained that nary different existing mentation offers a amended mentation for however the statues reached their platforms. Lipo emphasized that nary grounds has emerged to disprove the upright walking method and that each caller find continues to reenforce its validity.

The findings supply caller penetration into the creativity and engineering skills of the Rapa Nui, whose methods person present reshaped the knowing of however the Moai statues of Easter Island came to stand.