Rano Raraku

Rano Raraku is a volcanic quarry on Easter Island, famous for carving the island’s iconic moai statues directly from volcanic tuff. This volcanic stone was soft when freshly exposed, making it easier for sculptors to carve large statues that could weigh several tons. The site served as the main location for creating moai, many of which remain partially finished or abandoned in various stages of carving. Today, Rano Raraku is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering insight into the island’s unique cultural history and the ingenuity of its Rapa Nui people in producing these monumental stone sculptures.