The Moai are some of the world’s

most fascinating and widely-

recognised monolithic statues.
Located on the remote Chilean
territory of Easter Island, they tell
a mysterious story of the island’s
early people and their obsession
with rock carvings. Much research
has been carried out on these
famous statues and many of the
damaged and fallen statues have
since been restored around the
island.

The Moai statutes date back

nearly a thousand years and are
the work of the early inhabitants of
Easter Island. They are tall
sculptures made out of volcanic
rock, with disproportionately large
heads. The average height of a
Moai is about 13 ft (4m) and can
weigh around 13.8 tones (12.5
tonnes) each, but some are up to
40 ft (12m) tall.

The faces on these Moai have

distinct features, such as broad
noses and strong chins jutting out
from the rest of the body.
The Moai have eye sockets
carved, with archaeologists
believing coral eyes were used.

It’s thought that the Moai were

symbols of religious and political
power and leadership. Carvings
and sculptures in the Polynesian
world often have strong spiritual
meanings, and followers often
believe a carving had magical or
spiritual powers of the person or
deity depicted.

Many archaeologists believe the

Moai represented the ancestors of
the people. This is emphasised by
the fact the Moai are almost
always facing inland or towards a
community, rather than out to sea,
suggesting they were looking after
the people.

There are seven Moai which go

against this and face out to sea,
perhaps to guide visitors to the
island.