Moai of Easter Island

The Moai are large stone statues created by the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island, representing ancestors or important figures. Carved from volcanic tuff between the 13th and 16th centuries, these statues often stand on stone platforms called ahu and feature oversized heads with prominent facial features. They served as symbols of authority, spiritual guardians, and links to ancestral spirits. Transporting and erecting these massive figures demonstrated remarkable ingenuity and social organization. Today, the Moai are iconic symbols of Easter Island’s cultural heritage and continue to attract scholarly interest for their craftsmanship and societal significance.