What are the faces on Easter Island called?

These big stone carvings — the tallest is almost 10 metres and weighs 82 tonnes — are made from volcanic rock. Called moai (say “moe-eye”) they made Easter Island one of the most mysterious places on Earth!

Can you touch the moai on Easter Island?

5. Touching a Moai is not only forbidden but will land you in major trouble. Visitors are forbidden from touching the Moai and breaking the law carries a hefty fine. Most recently a Finnish tourist was fined $17,000 US for touching a Moai and breaking its earlobe as a souvenir.

Do the Easter Island statues have names?

The statues, whose traditional name is “moai,” were carved from volcanic rock between A.D. 1100 and 1500 by ancient Polynesians. The new excavation work intends to document for the first time the complex carvings found on the buried statues’ bodies, which have been protected from weathering by their burial.

What makes Easter Island so special?

The island is most famous for its nearly 1,000 extant monumental statues, called moai, which were created by the early Rapa Nui people. In 1995, UNESCO named Easter Island a World Heritage Site, with much of the island protected within Rapa Nui National Park.

How old are Easter Island heads?

This is a question of much debate among scholars in the field, although there is a consensus they were built sometime between 400 and 1500 AD. That means all the statues are least 500 years old, if not much more.

Why is it called Easter Island?

The first known European visitor to Easter Island was the Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen, who arrived in 1722. The Dutch named the island Paaseiland (Easter Island) to commemorate the day they arrived.

Is Easter Island safe?

There is little street crime on Easter Island, so it is considered a safe place for travelers. There are many stray dogs on Easter Island. Travelers should stay away from strays as their behavior can be unpredictable. Rabies vaccination may be recommended for some travelers.

Is it worth visiting Easter Island?

If the moai and unique history of the island is intriguing and you want to prioritize Easter Island over perhaps another highlight of Chile, then you should make the effort. The natural beauty, stunning moai, and modern Polynesian culture are very much worth the trip.

What moai means?

What do the Moai represent? It’s thought that the Moai were symbols of religious and political power and leadership. Carvings and sculptures in the Polynesian world often have strong spiritual meanings, and followers often believe a carving had magical or spiritual powers of the person or deity depicted.

What does moai stand for?

MOAI

Where are the moai found on Easter Island?

Mystery of Easter Island’s ‘Moai’ unraveled by new discovery The mysterious Moai, stone monoliths that have stood guard over the island landscape for hundreds of years, can be found on Rapa Nui (also known as Easter Island). Their life is a feat of human ingenuity, and their significance is shrouded in obscurity.

How many MAOI are still on Easter Island?

Total number of moai on Easter Island: 887. Total number of maoi that were successfully transported to their final ahu locations: 288 (32% of 887) Total number of moai still in the Rano Raraku quarry: 397 (45%)

Are there any statues on Easter Island with legs?

Except for one kneeling moʻai, the statues do not have clearly visible legs. All fifteen standing moʻai at Ahu Tongariki. Though moʻai are whole-body statues, they are often referred to as “Easter Island heads” in some popular literature.

Who are the Stone Giants on Easter Island?

Archaeologist Jo Anne Van Tilburg, who has studied the moai for many years, believes the statues may have been created in the image of various paramount chiefs. They were not individualized portrait sculptures, but standardized representations of powerful individuals.