Rano Raraku’s Moai
A short drive away and you will arrive at Ahu Tongariki, which is the most photogenic of the statue sites. “Ahu” are village burial sites defined by a large flat stone platform with a seaward vertical wall.
A fascinating thing is that the statues here all have their backs to the sea; they’re all facing inland. The reason is linked to the fact that the statues maybe are Polynesian people’s ancestors so the statues look towards the villages by way of watching over the people.
The position of the statues is different in Ahu Akivi which is unique because these Moai are the only ones to all face towards the sea!
A theory suggests these Moai looking out to sea are to help travelers find the island.
Ahu Tongariki’s Moai
THE STRANGE INHABITANTS OF THE ISLAND
Eater Island is famous for its stone head statues called Moai. When you first see a Moai statue you are attracted by its disproportionately large head (compared to body length) and that is why they are commonly called “Easter Island Heads”.
Maybe, the purpose was that of doing a representation of the Polynesian people’s ancestors.
PLACES WHERE YOU CAN ADMIRE MOAI STATUES
Rano Raraku is known as the “nursery” of the stone head Moai statues. As you approach the site from the road you will begin to see the giant heads dotted along the hillside.
Look closer and you will find examples of Moai much like a manufacturing line. There are statues only partially carved out of the hills of this volcanic crater, and others fully complete ready for transport to their final destinations.
Written by Paolo Abate and Martina Borrelli