Easter Island, also called Rapa Nui, is a faraway island in the Pacific Ocean, more than 2,000 miles from Chile. Long ago, Polynesian people traveled to this island and created a lively culture that left behind amazing things for us to discover.
In 1722, a Dutch explorer named Jacob Roggeveen found Easter Island on Easter Sunday. He was surprised to see hundreds of giant stone heads, known as ‘moai,’ all over the island. There are almost 900 of these statues, and they are between 500 and 750 years old. Most of them stand along the coast, looking away from the sea. Experts think the moai were made to honor important leaders or ancestors, but since there are no written records, we don’t know exactly why or how they were built.
Each moai is carved from one big piece of stone, and some even have a stone hat on top. On average, these statues are about 13 feet tall and weigh as much as 12 to 13 tons. The biggest moai, called ‘Paro,’ is over 32 feet tall and weighs 82 tons! While they are often called ‘heads,’ many moai have bodies, with some buried up to their shoulders. Over time, many fell over, but people have worked hard to stand them back up again.
Easter Island was formed by three extinct volcanoes, which provided different types of volcanic rock for carving the moai. Most of the statues came from a quarry called Rano Raraku. The stone used is called tuff, which is soft and easy to carve but wears away over time. Around the quarry, there are many unfinished statues, some left because they hit hard rock, and others because people stopped making them. One unfinished statue would have been the biggest ever, at over 71 feet tall and weighing more than 270 tons!
Experts think the islanders moved the heavy moai by rolling them on tree trunks. But today, there aren’t many trees on the island because the early people cut them down. Without trees, they couldn’t move more statues.
Today, Easter Island is mostly protected as Rapa Nui National Park, a special place recognized by UNESCO. This means it’s important to the world and is preserved so people can learn about and enjoy its history and culture.
The moai of Easter Island are fascinating and mysterious. They tell us stories about the people who lived there long ago and their unique culture. These statues continue to amaze people all over the world, reminding us of the island’s rich history.
Create Your Own Moai: Gather some modeling clay or playdough and try to sculpt your own moai statue. Think about the features you want to include, such as the long ears or the stone hats. Once you’ve created your moai, share it with your family or friends and explain why you chose those features. This activity helps you understand the effort and creativity involved in making the moai statues.
Moai Observation Walk: Take a walk around your neighborhood or a local park with a family member. Look for objects or structures that remind you of the moai statues, such as tall trees, rocks, or even buildings. Discuss with your walking partner how these objects are similar to or different from the moai. This activity encourages you to observe your surroundings and make connections to what you’ve learned about Easter Island.
Imagine the Journey: Pretend you are one of the Polynesian people who first traveled to Easter Island. Write a short story or draw a comic strip about your journey across the ocean and your first sight of the island. Include how you might have felt seeing the moai statues for the first time. This activity helps you empathize with the island’s early inhabitants and think creatively about historical events.
