How were the Easter Island statues transported? The natives created a special way to make them “walk”

A team of researchers has discovered that moai can move upright using ropes

Can a block of stone the size of a school bus “walk”? Can a rock that weighs tons and is several meters long move on its own? The most logical answer is (obviously) no. But the story is different when it comes down to it moai of Easter Island, the unmistakable sculptures carved and scattered across the Polynesian island several centuries ago by the ancient Rapa Nui people.

In addition to the meaning, characteristics and shape, archaeologists have always wondered how the natives managed to transport those multi-ton boulders from the quarries to the places ahuthe ceremonial platforms on which they were erected. The answer was precisely this: nothing more, nothing less than “walking”.

An ancient mystery

Few sculptures in the world are as iconic, unmistakable and fascinating as the moai of Easter Island, the enormous stone heads that seem to rise from the earth on this distant oceanic island. Ever since Jacob Roggeveen and his crew arrived there in 1722, the world has wondered what they were for, what they represented and, of course, how their creators, the Rapa Nui people, managed to transport them from the volcanic slopes to their destinations.

The statues were carved primarily from the volcanic toba of the dormant Rano Raraku volcano, measuring several meters in length and weighing tons. In fact, it is estimated that, on average, they are around 4.5 meters and 10 tons, although larger specimens exist. Considering this and the fact that they need to be transported from the quarries to their…

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Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.