Marco Crisciotti Easter Island always manages to attract attention: let's find out more about the large statues of Rapa Nui
The iconic monolithic heads of the Moai on Easter Island (Chile) are known worldwide. These statues continue to captivate, surrounded by mysteries, historical significance, and pop culture. A frequent question, particularly among those unfamiliar with the subject, is whether these sculptures have bodies. While the answer is obvious to archaeologists and scholars familiar with Rapa Nui history, it may surprise the general public.
Not just heads
To clarify, the 887 Moai on this Pacific island indeed have bodies. These stylized torsos support the heads, with some statues fully emerging from the ground. The tallest monolith, Paro, stands at approximately 33 feet (10 meters). However, many others are partially buried, with the 150 most famous Moai visible only up to their shoulders, situated on the side of a volcano—a placement that has led to the common misconception that they are just heads.
An old discovery
Archaeologists have known about the bodies of these statues since the first excavations in 1914. A significant excavation campaign took place in the 1950s, with further research conducted in 2010. These efforts have increasingly revealed that the Moai represent far more than just heads.ù
Between myth and reality
Years ago, a series of emails featuring old and new photos of the Moai presented the revelation of the torsos as a major archaeological discovery, sparking curiosity about these sculptures, which were becoming increasingly popular in media. Recently, clearly fake photomontages have depicted the Moai with sculpted biceps and washboard abs, diverging from the reality, which is much more fascinating.
How were the Moai made and erected?
An interesting and somewhat mysterious aspect of the Moai involves their construction and erection. The statues, which can reach heights of 33 feet (10 meters) and weigh up to 176,000 pounds (80,000 kilograms), were made starting around the year 1000. However, explorers noted a treeless island, making it hard to imagine how ancient people transported such massive weights without using wood for levers and rollers.
Pollen analysis in the island’s lakes revealed that it was once covered in forests, primarily Chilean palms, which can grow up to 66 feet (20 meters) tall with trunks 35 inches (90 centimeters) in diameter. This finding confirmed the hypothesis of explorer Thor Heyerdahl in 1955.
Locating the quarries where several statues were made, researchers reconstructed the paths used to transport them to their platforms. It is estimated that carving a single statue took at least a year and required 180 men for transportation. The statues were moved on rollers, lifted, and placed on platforms using large logs as levers.
The meaning of the Moai
The exact meaning of the statues remains somewhat unclear. They are believed to represent ancient rulers, deities, or monolithic symbols of prosperity and well-being. Many Moai face the sea, a source of life for the fishing people of Rapa Nui.
Other scholars suggest that the statues were offerings to the gods to ensure favorable conditions, such as rain and abundant crops. Another theory posits that they represent clan leaders or were created to intimidate the masses during conflicts triggered by deforestation, which led to internal strife among the island’s clans.
The Moai in popular culture
The Moai, monumental statues of Easter Island and iconic symbols of Rapa Nui civilization, have become recurring elements in global pop culture. Their mysterious origins, grandeur, and uniqueness have fascinated artists, filmmakers, writers, and even game designers, making them subjects of various artistic and media expressions.
Moai in film and TV
The enigmatic stone statues have appeared in numerous films and TV series, often associated with ancient mysteries and legends. One of the most famous appearances is in the film “Night at the Museum” (2006), where a Moai in the New York Museum of Natural History comes to life, developing a comedic personality and becoming a fan favorite. In TV shows like “The Simpsons,” the Moai have been subjects of parodies and tributes; in the episode “Bart vs. Australia,” the Simpson family visits a museum displaying a Moai replica.
Moai in Video Games
In the world of video games, Moai have appeared in numerous titles, often as background elements or part of puzzles and adventures. An entire kingdom (divided into three sub-levels) in “Super Mario Land” (1989) for Game Boy is set on Easter Island, as is a section in “Tomb Raider Underworld” (2008). Games like “Animal Crossing” (2002) allow players to decorate their virtual spaces with Moai replicas.
Moai in literature
The fascination with the Moai extends to literature. Numerous adventure and science fiction novels and stories have included these statues as symbols of ancient lost civilizations or as clues to archaeological mysteries. Authors like Thor Heyerdahl, in his 1957 book “Aku-Aku: The Secret of Easter Island,” helped spread knowledge and interest in the Moai, combining scientific research with compelling storytelling.
Moai in contemporary art
In the realm of contemporary art, the Moai have been a source of inspiration. Artists worldwide have reinterpreted these statues in various forms, from paintings to modern sculptures. British artist Antony Gormley, known for his meditative human statues, has often cited the Moai as one of his most significant influences, highlighting the visual and symbolic impact these figures have had on his artistic imagination.
Moai in pop culture
The Moai have also become popular elements in more informal pop culture. From t-shirts to gadgets, images of the large heads are used to evoke a sense of mystery and antiquity. Social media has further spread Rapa Nui’s iconography, with memes and viral images often presenting them in humorous or parodic contexts.
Moai and tourism
The cultural and media interest in the Moai has had a significant impact on tourism on Easter Island. Each year, thousands of tourists visit the island to see these imposing statues up close, attracted by both the historical allure and the representations seen in the media. This influx of tourism has raised awareness and protection of Rapa Nui’s cultural heritage but has also brought up concerns about the island’s sustainability and conservation.
