The Mysterious Easter Island Rocks

The special Chilean territory of Easter Island lies isolated in the Pacific Ocean, but its remote setting seems to help rather than hinder the tourist trade. Tens of thousands of visitors are drawn to this remarkable place to catch sight of the hundreds of monumental statues, which have been carved out of compressed volcanic ash, within the Rapa Nui National Park.

Locally referred to as Moai statues, the Easter Island rocks were created by the early Rapa Nui people, sometime between the 13th century and the 16th century, and such is there historical importance, they were granted, a UNESCO World Heritage Site status, back in 1995. The figures are quite peculiar in their appearance, in so much as they have abnormally large heads, totally out of proportion to the rest of the sculptured body.

It is thought that protection from erosion may have been the motivation towards this concept, because the rest of the bodies are actually there, but they have been buried from the shoulders down. They truly are awe inspiring, not just from the craftsmanship point of view, but also from scale. They stand on average a startling four metres in height and weigh on average in excess of twelve tonnes, although one particular Moai, called Paro, stood a mind-blowing ten metres tall.

Archaeologists have suggested that the statues were symbols of power and authority, from both a religious and political stand point, but to the islanders they all carry some spiritual meaning, with their positioning being of great significance. Many of the rocks face inwards from the ocean, which left the inhabitants believing that it is a sign that they are watching over the island, due to them being an embodiment of deceased ancestors, who have returned to offer protection.

It is not known exactly how the statues were transported across the island, but it inevitably required plenty of logs and ropes, probably sledges and tracks and definitely a great deal of hard graft. There are naturally many myths and legends that have been told about the rocks over many centuries and at one time, some quite bizarre rituals were undertaken, to ward off evil and pay homage.

Over time, these customs have become practised less and less, although the figures still command the upmost respect, and teachings are passed down through the generations still to this day, with the knowledge and acceptance that they will always be at the forefront of anybody’s life, who make Easter Island rocks their home and community.