Researchers at California State University have proposed that heavy Moaia statues on Easter Island were moved by swinging them on ropes.



    by rco888

    19 Comments

    1. JimuelShinemakerIII on

      Just to be clear, I heard this theory like twenty years ago. And from what I remember, native islanders considered it one of the more credible ones.

    2. AcrobaticMost3118 on

      its funny to me that they prove it with mini versions of the real thing… like moving a 2 stone is the same as moving a 250 tons stone

      Anyway, at least they try to explain the mysteries of the world.

    3. SwimmerExcellent1862 on

      If not being in Eastern Island (Chile) , looks right…but they were cut at the Volcano side, with an interesting downhill component. They are also horizontally sculpted from the rock, so you have to raise them first. Making “Walk” like this a volcanic rock, means marks on it, body is far more detailed. They have no marks of ropes on the top. Stress on neck may also have break the volcanic stone, remember this weights several tons (minimum 4 Tons).

      And last but not least, most of them are much higher, making the balance even harder. Biggest are 9m and weight 80 tons…with a rope balancing them downhill… success rate would be really unrespectable for they ancetres, which they intend to honor.
      Real size and Shape:

      https://preview.redd.it/98t9zml8g5pd1.png?width=200&format=png&auto=webp&s=dcf88952b15033664833e80d61ff69e4bb840fe9

      This Moai was at his final location and used to stand complete above the soil. So somehow was “sinked by Nature” 3 meters. Not all moais are like the ones in “Ahu Tongariki”

      Btw, I lived in Chile for 50 years and have family in Eastern island, married with a Native and they have one kid raised on their local way.

    4. Interesting, I would guess they used more than one technique, espeically considering they are all different sizes and some are going to be easier to move than others.

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