Easter Island Moai Statues #1

The Moai statues are iconic symbols of the Rapa Nui people and their Polynesian culture. They are believed to represent the ancestors of the Rapa Nui people, watching over the island and its inhabitants.

Name

Moai Statues of Easter Island

Location

Easter Island, Chile

Year Established

1250 - 1500 AD

Type

Archaeological site

Architectural Style

Polynesian monumental sculpture

Materials Used

Carved primarily from volcanic tuff

Size

Height: 10 meters (33 feet)

Weight: up to 82 tons

Number: 887

Condition

Varies from well-preserved to partially buried or eroded

Design Features

Large heads with elongated features

Prominent brow ridges and deep eye sockets

Some statues have hats or topknots called "pukao" made from red scoria

Founders

Rapa Nui people

Original Purpose

Thought to represent deified ancestors and were possibly erected to honor their legacy and ensure agricultural fertility

Current Use

Tourist attraction and subject of archaeological research

UNESCO Status

Yes