The mystery of the Easter island heads – 7 interesting facts

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The production and transportation of these large figures is one of the most unbelievable feats of humanity – and one of the greatest mysteries. Here are 7 little-known facts about the legendary Moai.

#1

Rapa Nui are the aboriginal Polynesian inhabitants of Easter Island, who settled there between 300 and 1200 CE.

#2

The craftsmen used basalt stone hand chisels. About 5-6 people worked on each sculpture.

#3

The Rapa Nui people didn't have cranes, wheels, or even strong animals to help them. At the same time, they were able to move these enormous statues 11 miles (17 km) across the island, given that the heaviest ones weigh more than 70 tons. They may have used wooden sleds, but the exact answer remains unknown.

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#4

Most archaeologists agree that the figures symbolize Polynesians’ ancestors, who are watching over the villages.

#5

For many years, most scientists believed the Moai were only heads, but later the archaeologists excavated several statues to find the underlying torso.

#6

Many figures are still to be discovered, so there may actually be more than 1,000 of them.

#7

They can be seen in the museums of Chile, France, Belgium, UK, New Zealand and United States.

Was this information new for you? Would you like to see these statues with your own eyes? Or have you already seen them?

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