Polynesian Society: Artifact 4

Easter Island Statues

     According to Easter Island legend, 1500 years ago a Polynesian chief, Hotu Matu'a sailed to the islands in a double canoe with his wife and extended family and landed on Anakena Beach. It is believed by many archeologists though, that the island was first settled around 800 A.D. to 1200. It is believed that early settlers brought over banana trees, taro root, and sweet potato. The farming of these crops on the island led to the Rapa Nui's demise. It was an environmental catastrophe, due to deforestation, erosion, and soil depletion.
     Moai statues are about 13 feet tall and weigh 14 tons. It is thought that these moai were created to honor ancestors, chiefs, and other people or things of great importance. Culture reached its height during the tenth to 16th century when the Rapa Nui people had carved and erected 900 statues across the island. The Rano Raraku quarry yielded the stone used for almost all of the island moai. Over 400 statues sit in the quarry, all in different stages towards completion.

Works Cited:
Information: Clark, Liesl. "Pioneers of Easter Island." NOVA. WGBH, 1996. Web. 9 Sept. 2014.
"Easter Island." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 1996. Web. 9 Sept. 2014.
Picture: http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/365-photos/easter-island-statues/