Easter Island: The Mysterious Deities of Rapa Nui. The rise and fall of civilization. Easter Island. Rapa Nui National Park

Photographer Gerhard Bachmayer

Easter Island is an island in the South Pacific Ocean, a territory of Chile. The local name of the island is Rapa Nui (rap. Rapa Nui). Area - 163.6 km². Coordinates - 27°07′ S sh. 109°21′ W / 27.116667°S sh. 109.35°W d. (G) -27.116667, -109.35.

Easter Island. Rapa Nui National Park

Easter Island, along with the Tristan da Cunha archipelago, is the most remote inhabited island in the world. The distance to the continental coast of Chile is 3703 km, to Pitcairn Island, the nearest inhabited place, is 1819 km. The island was discovered by the Dutch traveler Jacob Roggeveen on Easter Sunday 1722.

The capital of the island and its only city is Hanga Roa. In total, 3.7 thousand live on the island (2005).

Rapa Nui is largely known for its moai, or stone statues made from compressed volcanic ash, which, according to local residents, contain the supernatural power of the ancestors of the first king of Easter Island, Hotu-Matu'a. In 1888, annexed by Chile. In 1995, Rapa Nui National Park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The island has the shape of a right triangle, the hypotenuse of which is the southeast coast. The sides of this "triangle" have lengths of 16, 18 and 24 km. Extinct volcanoes rise in the corners of the island: Rano Kao (rap. Rano Kao) (324 m) near the settlement of Mataveri; Pua Katiki (rap. Puakatike) (377 m) and Terevaka (rap. Terevaka) (539 m - highest point islands).

The highest crater of the Terevaka volcano is called Rano Aroi (rap. Rano Aroi) (about 200 m). Actually "Rano-Aroi" is the name of the lake that fills the extinct crater.

Another Terevaka crater - Rano Raraku (rap. Rano Raraku) (160 m) is also a lake with a large reserve fresh water surrounded by reed beds. The diameter of this crater is about 650 m.

The diameter of the Rano Kao crater is about 1500 m, the depth is 800 m. The volcano has a symmetrical shape and is surrounded hilly terrain. The southern slope breaks off at.

Vegetation is more abundant on the inner slopes of volcanoes. This is due to more fertile soil, the absence of strong winds and the "greenhouse effect".

Easter Island volcanic origin. The soil was formed as a result of erosion of the slopes of volcanoes. The most fertile soil is located in the north of the island, where locals grow yam, or sweet potatoes, and yams. The most common rocks on the island - basalt, obsidian, rhyolite, trachyte. Sheer cliffs in La Perouse Bay (locally called Hanga Hoonu) are made up of red lava

The climate of Easter Island is warm, subtropical. The average annual temperature is 21.8 °C, the coldest month is August (19.2 °C), the warmest is January (24.6 °C). The island lies near the southern border of the zone of southeasterly winds blowing in summer. In winter, the northwest prevails, but there are also southwest and southeast winds. Despite the proximity to the tropics, the climate on the island is relatively temperate. Heat is rare. This is due to the proximity of the cold Humboldt Current and the absence of any land between the island and Antarctica. Winds from the Antarctic in July-August often reduce the daytime air temperature to 20° Celsius.

The main source of fresh water on the island is lakes formed in the craters of local volcanoes. There are no rivers on Rapa Nui, and rainwater easily seeps through the soil, resulting in The groundwater flowing towards the ocean. Since there is not much water on the island, local residents in the past built wells and small reservoirs everywhere.

Moai - stone statues on the coast of Easter Island in the form of a human head up to 20 meters high. Contrary to popular belief, they "look" not towards the ocean, but into the depths of the island. Some moai have "caps" made of red stone. Moai were made in quarries in the center of the island. How they were delivered to the coast is unknown. According to legend, they "walked" themselves. Recently, enthusiastic volunteers have found several ways to transport stone blocks. But what exactly the ancient inhabitants used (or some of their own) has not yet been determined. Many unfinished idols are in the quarries. A detailed study of the island gives the impression of a sudden cessation of work on the statues.

Rano Raraku is one of the most interesting places for tourists. At the foot of this volcano there are about 300 moai, of various heights and at different stages of readiness. Not far from the bay is ahu Tongariki, the largest ritual site with 15 statues of various sizes installed on it.

On the shore of Anakena Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches islands with crystal white coral sand. Swimming is allowed in the bay. Picnics are organized for tourists in palm groves. Also, not far from the Anakena Bay, there are ahu Ature-Khuki and ahu Naunau. According to ancient Rapanui legend, it was in this bay that Hotu-Matu'a, the first king of Rapa Nui, landed with the first settlers of the island.

Te Pito-te-henua (rap. Navel of the Earth) - a ceremonial site on the island of round stones. Quite a controversial place on Rapa Nui. Anthropologist Christian Walter claims that Te Pito-te-henua was established in the 1960s to attract gullible tourists to the island.

Rano Kao volcano has Observation deck. Nearby is the Orongo ceremonial site.

Puna Pau is a small volcano near Rano Khao. In the distant past, a red stone was mined here, from which “headdresses” were made for local moai.

The flora of the island is very poor: experts count no more than 30 species of plants growing on Rapa Nui. Most of them were brought from other islands of Oceania, America, Europe. Many plants that were previously widespread on Rapa Nui have been exterminated. Between the 9th and 17th centuries, there was an active felling of trees, which led to the disappearance of forests on the island (probably before that, palm trees of the Paschalococos disperta species grew on it). Another reason was the eating of tree seeds by rats. Due to the irrational economic activity human and other factors, the resulting accelerated soil erosion caused great damage to agriculture, as a result of which the population of Rapa Nui was significantly reduced.

One of the extinct plants is Sophora toromiro, whose local name is toromiro (rap. toromiro). This plant on the island in the past played an important role in the culture of the Rapanui people: it was used to make "talking tablets" with local pictograms.

The trunk of a toromiro, with a diameter of a human thigh and thinner, was often used in the construction of houses; spears were also made from it. In the 19th-20th centuries, this tree was exterminated (one of the reasons was that the young growth was destroyed by sheep brought to the island).

Another plant on the island is the mulberry tree, whose local name is mahute (rap. mahute). In the past, this plant also played a significant role in the life of the islanders: white clothes, called mahute, were made from silkworm cocoons, which were worn by women (similar to the Polynesian tapa). After the appearance of the first Europeans on the island - whalers and missionaries - the importance of mahute in the life of the Rapanui people decreased.

The roots of the ti plant (rap. ti), or Dracaena terminalis, were used to make sugar. Also, this plant was used to make a powder of dark blue and green, which was then applied to the body as tattoos.

Makoi (rap. makoi) (Thespesia populnea) was used for carving.

One of the surviving plants of the island, which grows on the slopes of the Rano Kao and Rano Raraku craters, is Scirpus californicus, used in the construction of houses.

In recent decades, a small growth of eucalyptus has begun to appear on the island. In the XVIII-XIX centuries, grapes, banana, melon, sugar cane were brought to the island.

Before the Europeans arrived on the island, the fauna of Easter Island was mainly represented by marine animals: seals, turtles, crabs. Until the 19th century, chickens were bred on the island. The species of local fauna that previously inhabited Rapa Nui have become extinct. For example, the species of rat Rattus exulans, which in the past was used by the locals for food. Instead, rats of the species Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus were brought to the island by European ships, which became carriers of various diseases previously unknown to the Rapanui.

Now 25 species of sea birds nest on the island and 6 species of land birds live.

This question is of interest to many. This place is exotic and shrouded in a whole heap of legends and beliefs. However, getting there will be very difficult.

Where is Easter Island located: coordinates

A small piece of land, annexed by Chile at the beginning of the twentieth century, is located 3600 km from the South American continent. The nearest island group is 2075 km to the east. It is not difficult to guess that of all the inhabited places on Earth, Easter Island is one of the most remote. The area of ​​this unique monument of Rapani culture is 163.6 km2. It is the small size and very distant location from the mainland that causes questions about where the Easter Islands are located. By the way, this combination is absolutely incorrect, since there is only one island in that region, and it is hardly correct to consider small patches of rocky shoals as islands. It is all the more surprising that such a lost one far in the waters sheltered on his small lands the amazing nation of Rapa Nui, which, presumably, erected amazing stone sculptures.

Historical reference

Of course, it is not enough to know where Easter Island is located. Its history is no less interesting than the location.

The island arose as standard for numerous archipelagos and atolls of the planet's largest ocean: thanks to a volcanic eruption. Constant eruptions and violent winds have made the coast difficult for ships to moor: there are only two places where you can set foot on the coast from the liner without first breaking into the rocks.

The first colonists reached this lost piece of land 1300 years ago. They spotted large palm groves, which were immediately put to use for the construction of dwellings and boats. Later, a small civilization had a hard time: the constant attacks of Peruvian pirates decreased every year. In addition, Catholic preachers destroyed the artifacts of the people from Easter Island, which caused irreparable damage to the unique culture of Rapa Nui. Currently, the remains of ancient structures are under the protection of UNESCO.

Moai stone statues

How Rapa Nui created the famous stone statues is still not known. They are blocks, the weight of which is up to 14 tons, and the height can reach 4 meters. It is curious that idols can be found everywhere: in places where Easter Island meets the ocean, or in the depths, near mountains and volcanoes. In other words, the Moai cult had great importance for the population of the era of the construction of stone idols. Presumably, they were built in order to mark the death of a tribesman: more statue, the more honor to the deceased. However, the question arises: "How did the stone blocks move from one point of the island to another?"

The answer to it will most likely be impossible to find. However, the unfinished prototypes of future statues found suggest that the idols were first hollowed out of stone, and then transported on logs or cables from one part of the island to another.

How to get there?

It would seem that knowing where Easter Island is located, it would not be a problem to reach its shores. Unfortunately, it is not. You can try your luck and board one of the liners that depart from the coast of Australia or South America, heading to conquer the expanses of Oceania, especially since the first inhabitants reached the island on dilapidated boats. However, the most adequate option is to fly by plane.

But not everything is so simple with a flying unit: you can fly to a coveted place only from Chile and Tahiti. For the inhabitants of Russia, even Australia is very far away, but this is only a transit point on the way. All in all, flight to the shores famous island will take several days, and will also eat a fair portion of finance. It is also worth remembering that there is only one city on the island, so visiting the UNESCO monuments is the only joy available to tourists.

When to visit?

Despite the remoteness of the place where Easter Island is located, this is a fairly popular tourist region, which has its own periods of influx and decline in the activity of visitors. Given the fact that this piece of land is located near the equator, it is impossible to meet snowdrifts here at any time of the year. However high season starts in summer: from January to March. This is followed by a decrease in the tourist flow, although the temperature conditions are still not very severe: about 17 degrees in the coldest months. Thus, if you want to enjoy the beauty of Easter Island without the noisy crowds, it is better to come between April and November.

Easter Island is unique place. Here you can admire the volcano, visible even from space, unique stone statues. In addition, the population of the island can tell travelers a lot, as local legends have been passed down from generation to generation. So now we know where the Easter Islands are, and what they, or rather he, are.

Easter Island

EASTER ISLAND, RAPA NUI

Island in the South Pacific, Chile. The area is 163.6 square kilometers. Along with the archipelago, Tristan da Cunha is the most remote inhabited island in the world. The distance to the mainland coast of Chile is 3,703 km, to Pitcairn Island, the nearest inhabited place, is 1,819 km. The island was discovered by the Dutch traveler Jacob Roggeveen on Easter Sunday 1722. The capital of the island and its only city is Hanga Roa. In total, 4,888 people live on the island.

Easter Island is largely known for its moai, or stone statues made of compressed volcanic ash, which, according to the locals, contain the supernatural power of the ancestors of the first king of Easter Island, Hotu-Matu'a. In 1888, Easter Island was annexed by Chile. In 1995, Rapa Nui National Park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Easter Island has many names:

Hititeairaghi, or Hit-ai-ranks;

Tekaouhangoaru;

Mata-ki-te-ragi(translated from Rapanui "eyes looking at the sky");

Te-Pito-o-te-henua(translated as "the navel of the earth");

Rapa Nui("Great Rapa"), a name mainly used by whalers;

san carlos island(so named by González Don Felipe in honor of the King of Spain);

Teapi(as James Cook called the island);

Waihu, or waihou, (this name was also used by James Cook, and later by Forster Johann Georg Adam and Laperouse Jean Francois de Galo);

Easter Island(so named by the Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen because he discovered it on Easter Day 1722).

Most often, Easter Island is called Rapa Nui, although it is not of Rapanui, but of Polynesian origin. The island got its name thanks to the Tahitian navigators who used it to distinguish between Easter Island and Rapa Island, which lies 650 km south of Tahiti. The very name "Rapa Nui" has caused a lot of controversy among linguists about the correct spelling of this word. Among English speakers, "Rapa Nui" (2 words) is used to refer to the island, and "Rapanui" (1 word) is used when referring to a people or local culture.

The island has the shape of a right triangle, the hypotenuse of which is the southeast coast. The sides of this "triangle" are 16, 18 and 24 kilometers long. Extinct volcanoes rise in the corners of the island: Rano Kao (324 m) near the settlement of Mataveri; Pua Katiki (377 m) and Terevaka (539 m - the highest point of the island).

The highest crater of the Terevaka volcano is called Rano-Aroi (about 200 m). Actually "Rano-Aroi" is the name of the lake that fills the extinct crater.

Another Terevaka crater - Rano Raraku (160 m) is also a lake with a large supply of fresh water, surrounded by reed beds. The diameter of this crater is about 650 m.

The diameter of the Rano Kao crater is about 1,500 m, the depth is 800 m. The volcano has a symmetrical shape and is surrounded by hilly terrain. The southern slope breaks off into the ocean.

Vegetation is more abundant on the inner slopes of volcanoes. This is due to more fertile soil, the absence of strong winds and the "greenhouse effect".

Easter Island is of volcanic origin. The soil was formed as a result of erosion of the slopes of volcanoes. The most fertile soil is located in the north of the island, where locals grow sweet potatoes and yams. The most common rocks on the island are basalt, obsidian, rhyolite and trachyte. Sheer cliffs in La Perouse Bay (locally called Hanga Hoonu) are made up of red lava.

The island is surrounded by small islands: at the southeastern tip - Motu Nui (the largest island on which the military leaders of the inhabitants of Rapa Nui were elected in the distant past), Motu Iti, Motu Kao Kao (a magnetic anomaly is observed near this island), at the western tip - Motu-Tautira and at the eastern tip - Motu-Marothiri.

The climate of Easter Island is warm, subtropical. The average annual temperature is 21.8 degrees Celsius, the coldest month is August (19.2 degrees Celsius), the warmest is January (24.6 degrees Celsius). The island lies near the southern border of the zone of southeasterly winds blowing in summer. In winter, the northwest prevails, but there are also southwest and southeast winds. Despite the proximity to the tropics, the climate on the island is relatively temperate. Heat is rare. This is due to the proximity of the cold Humboldt Current and the absence of any land between the island and Antarctica. Winds from the Antarctic in July-August often reduce the daytime air temperature to 20 degrees Celsius.

The main source of fresh water on the island is lakes formed in the craters of local volcanoes. There are no rivers on Rapa Nui, and rainwater easily seeps through the soil, forming groundwater flowing towards the ocean. Since there is not much water on the island, local residents in the past built wells and small reservoirs everywhere.

The flora of the island is very poor: experts count no more than 30 species of plants growing on Rapa Nui. Most of them were brought from other islands in Oceania, America and Europe. Many of the plants that were once widespread in Rapa Nui have been extirpated. Between the 9th and 17th centuries, there was an active felling of trees, which led to the disappearance of forests on the island (probably, before that, palm trees of the Paschalococos disperta species grew on it). Another reason was the eating of tree seeds by rats. Due to unsustainable human activities and other factors, the resulting accelerated soil erosion caused enormous damage to agriculture, resulting in a significant reduction in the population of Rapa Nui.

One of the extinct plants is Sophora toromiro, whose local name is "toromiro". This plant on the island in the past played an important role in the culture of the Rapanui people: it was used to make "talking tablets" with local pictograms.

The trunk of a toromiro, with a diameter of a human thigh and thinner, was often used in the construction of houses; spears were also made from it. In the 19th-20th centuries, this tree was exterminated (one of the reasons was that the young growth was destroyed by sheep brought to the island).

Another plant on the island is the mulberry tree, locally called mahute. In the past, this plant also played a significant role in the life of the islanders: white clothes called "tapa" were made from the bast of the mulberry tree. After the appearance of the first Europeans on the island - whalers and missionaries - the importance of mahute in the life of the Rapanui people decreased.

The roots of the tee plant, or Dracaena terminalis, were used to make sugar. Also, this plant was used to make a powder of dark blue and green, which was then applied to the body as tattoos.

Makoi (Thespesia populnea) was used for carving.

One of the surviving plants of the island, which grows on the slopes of the Rano Kao and Rano Raraku craters, is Scirpus californicus, used in the construction of houses.

In recent decades, a small growth of eucalyptus has begun to appear on the island. In the XVIII-XIX centuries, grapes, banana, melon and sugar cane were brought to the island.

Before the Europeans arrived on the island, the fauna of Easter Island was mainly represented by marine animals: seals, turtles, crabs. Until the 19th century, chickens were bred on the island. The species of local fauna that previously inhabited Rapa Nui have become extinct. For example, the species of rat Rattus exulans, which in the past was used by the locals for food. Instead, rats of the species Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus were brought to the island by European ships, which became carriers of various diseases previously unknown to the Rapanui.

Now 25 species of sea birds nest on the island and 6 species of land birds live.

During the cultural heyday of Easter Island in the 16th and 17th centuries, the population of Rapa Nui is estimated to have been between 10,000 and 15,000 people. Due to the ecological catastrophe that broke out as a result of the anthropogenic factor, as well as clashes between the inhabitants, the population by the time the first Europeans arrived was reduced to 2-3 thousand people. The number of 3,000 inhabitants was also indicated by James Cook when visiting the island. By 1877, as a result of the export of local residents to Peru for hard labor, epidemics, and extensive sheep breeding, the population decreased even more and amounted to 111 people. By 1888, the year of Chile's annexation of the island, 178 people lived on the island.

At the beginning of the 20th century, a significant part of the population of Rapa Nui (mostly young Rapanui) moved to mainland Chile. It wasn't until the 1950s, as living standards improved, that there was some improvement in the island's demographics. By 1960, more than 1,000 people already lived on Rapa Nui.

According to the 2002 census, 3,791 people lived on the island (for example, in 1988 - 1,938 people). At the same time, 200-300 Rapanui lived on the mainland of Chile, Tahiti and in the USA. The growth was largely due to the resettlement of part of the Chileans from the mainland to Easter Island. The ratio of the indigenous and visiting population has changed. If in 1982 the number of Rapanui on the island was 70%, then in 2002 it was only 60%. The remaining 39% were Chileans, 1% were other peoples. The population density on the island is 23 people per square kilometer(by comparison, in Germany - 230, in Russia - 8.4).

In the middle of the 19th century, there were 6 permanent settlements on Rapa Nui: Anakena, Tongariki, Vaihu, Vinapu, Mataveri and Hanga Roa. Currently, almost the entire population lives in Hanga Roa, administrative center Easter islands. Mataveri and Moeroa in the southwest are often seen as one settlement.

The official language on the island is Spanish, as well as Rapanui. The inhabitants are predominantly Catholic.

Moai of Easter Island

Moai - stone statues on the coast of Easter Island in the form of a human head up to 20 meters high. Contrary to popular belief, they do not look towards the ocean, but inland. Some moai have red stone caps. Moai were made in quarries in the center of the island.

How they were delivered to the coast is unknown. According to legend, they "walked" on their own. Recently, enthusiastic volunteers have found several ways to transport stone blocks. But what exactly the ancient inhabitants used (or some of their own) has not yet been determined. The Norwegian traveler Thor Heyerdahl in his book "Aku-Aku" gives a description of one of these methods, which was tested in action by local residents. According to the book, information about this method was obtained from one of the few remaining direct descendants of the Moai builders. So, one of the Moai, overturned from the pedestal, was hoisted back by using logs slipped under the statue as levers, by swinging which it was possible to achieve small movements of the statue along the vertical axis. Movements were recorded by lining the upper part of the statue with stones of various sizes and alternating them. Actually, the transportation of the statues could be carried out by means of a wooden sledge. This method local presents as the most likely, but he himself believes that the statues still reached their places on their own.

Many unfinished idols are in the quarries. A detailed study of the island gives the impression of a sudden cessation of work on the statues.

Rano Raraku is one of the most interesting places for tourists. At the foot of this volcano there are about 300 moai, of various heights and at different stages of readiness. Not far from the bay is ahu Tongariki, the largest ritual site with 15 statues of various sizes installed on it.

On the shores of Anakena Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches of the island with crystal white coral sand. Swimming is allowed in the bay. Picnics are organized for tourists in palm groves. Also, not far from the Anakena Bay, there are ahu Ature-Khuki and ahu Naunau. According to ancient Rapanui legend, it was in this bay that Hotu-Matu'a, the first king of Rapa Nui, landed with the first settlers of the island.

Te Pito-te-henua ("Navel of the Earth") - a ceremonial platform on the island of round stones. Quite a controversial place on Rapa Nui. Anthropologist Christian Walter claims that Te Pito-te-henua was established in the 1960s to attract gullible tourists to the island.

There is an observation deck on Rano Khao volcano. Nearby is the Orongo ceremonial site.

Tourism is the main source of income for the population. The only regular flight service to Easter Island is operated by the Chilean airline LAN Airlines, whose planes depart from Santiago in Tahiti, making an intermediate landing on Easter Island. Domestic flights are carried out according to the scheme Santiago - Easter Island - Santiago. Depending on which ticket you ordered, international or domestic, the departure takes place from two different terminals of the airport in Santiago. The flight schedule depends on the time of the year. In December-March flights are carried out several times a week. The rest of the year - once or twice a week. The flight lasts about 5 hours. Starting from November 2010, you can also get to Easter Island by direct flight from the capital of Peru - Lima. All planes land at the only airport on Easter Island - Mataveri. Rapa Nui has only one marina for small ships. There is no regular shipping communication with other parts of the planet.

There are several hotels on the island, including four- and three-star levels. Rapa Nui prices are very high. This is due to the fact that most of the products are imported. The sights of the island can be reached by taxi, rented cars, bicycles, horses or on foot.

Since 1975, the island has been hosting the Tapati festival every year in late January - early February, accompanied by dances, chants and various traditional Rapanui competitions.

» Moai - idols of Easter Island (Rapa Nui)

Once I wrote 2 posts about Easter Island (aka Rapa Nui Island:,), but, in the end, I felt underestimated: few people liked it without idols. Now there will be a post with idols. Only with us - regime light, rare angles and mysterious phenomena. Forbidden historical questions, ancient races, paleocontacts, connection between idols and ancient Rus.

[Almost all moai the islands were carved in one place, in the Rano Raraku volcano, in east corner islands:

Volcano Rano Raraku

the same Rano Raraku(Rano Raraku):

On the southern slope of the volcano stands, lies a huge amount moai in various stages of readiness and preservation. All the territories of the national park on the island are freely available: just come, spin the anti-cow turntable and enter, and Rano Raraku- one of two behind the fence, with a gate that closes at night and a ranger town. If you arrive at the opening, by 9:00, then at first you can wait half an hour for the late Chilean Rangers, and then everything world heritage long hours will belong to you in one person:

Two undercut moai. They are probably 10-15 meters and 150 tons:

All idols are the same except for one. There's a sitting tiki here moai Tukuturi(Tukuturi), the only one of its kind on Easter Island: firstly, it sits, secondly, it is made of red pumice from a crater . Similar ones could be seen or (in the background on the right is a volcano Poike(Poike). There are no roads, and people go hiking on it. But fucking Air France - listen, never use fucking Air France - they stole my day on the island from me and I didn’t have time to cheer there).

We will climb into the crater itself: below is a small freshwater lake overgrown with reeds, which until the very last moment served as a source of fresh water for the island. Not everyone gets here, being satisfied with the inspection of the outer walls:

A few years ago, Putin dived to the bottom of the lake and found the head:

Here at these heads, scientists measure erosion:

The sun reaches its zenith and Rano Raraku completed by researchers. Finnish tourists inspecting tiki moai:

Ahu Tongariki

On the seashore, a kilometer from Rano Raraku, is located Ahu Tongariki(Ahu Tongariki)- main temple eastern clan. All this was built not so long ago, around the 15th century (like the vast majority megalithic monuments throughout).

The picture on the left is a volcano. Rano Raraku, in the center - Ahu Tongariki, and on the right is a volcano Poike:

Ahu Tongariki around 1915, all the idols are knocked down - it was destroyed in the civil war of the islanders of the 1770s:


Panorama Ahu Tongariki, 1914-15, Mana Expedition to Easter Island; British Museum

Tongariki it has since been restored, and then it was demolished by the tsunami in 1960:


Easter Island. 1960. Ahu Tongariki. Photograph taken shortly after the destruction of the ahu by the tsunami of May 22, 1960. Lorenzo Dominguez is standing on the right.

And once again restored with a Japanese grant in 1992-1996:

Archivo Instituto Isla de Pascua, F.A.U. University of Chile.

There are so many photos of moai used every day on the Internet and offline press that, if nothing is done, they will completely run out by 2014. If you come to Ahu Tongariki before dawn, you will see dozens of photographers at work: in this place the sun rises beautifully behind the backs of idols, so this is where the cutting edge of the front for making photos of idols:

Here is a real temple of creativity:

"Canons", "Nikons", "Olympus", everything goes into business:

Anakena Beach

Look at north coast islands: here is the bay Anakena(Anakena), the only easily accessible sand beach on the island.

Polynesian palm trees have been restored here, completely lost even before civil war Rapanui - so they grow in rows:

On the heads of tiki moai, of course, pukao: red pumice millstones carved in a crater on the hellish other side of the island, 15 kilometers away. Pukao was portrayed, of course.

Have you always wondered if there moai petroglyphs, they are covered and platforms ahu carving? Happens! On the idols in Anaken, there are peculiar clothes, reminiscent of God knows what, and the platform is decorated with carved images of people:

Organized on the principle of a corporate string, people resemble fish strung on a rope. But in our case, these fish are still alive. Not only that, under the influence of oral and anal wow factors, they seem to be crawling along the corporate string in a direction that seems to them to be on top. To do this, they are driven by instinct or, if you like, the desire for the meaning of life:

southeast shore

All standing moai and whole ahu restored by archaeological expeditions in the 20th century. The usual state of the moai is fallen down, and the stones that made up ahu- randomly scattered. Such moai and ahu there are dozens, if not hundreds, on the island