The discovery that the Moai statues on Easter Island have bodies was made by archaeologists on Easter Island as early as 1914. However, this information remained largely hidden from the public until 2012 when a chain email containing images of full-bodied Easter Island statues taken from excavations in the 1950s and 2010s began circulating[2][4].
Around 150 of the 887 monolithic human figures have been confirmed by excavations Easter Island to have bodies[2][13]. There have been no confirmed instances of Moai statues on Easter Island that do not have bodies. Archaeological evidence and excavations have revealed that the Moai statues actually have bodies, dispelling the misconception that they are only giant heads.[2][4][13][17][18]
The significance of the Moai statues on Easter Island having bodies lies in the revelation of their full form, which was largely hidden from the public until recent years. The discovery that the Moai have bodies sheds light on the intricate carvings found on their torsos, which were well-preserved due to being buried for centuries. This newfound knowledge humanizes the production process of the Moai and provides insights into the cultural and religious beliefs of the Rapa Nui people. The statues, believed to represent ancestral chiefs, were not just heads but whole-body statues with detailed carvings that include tattoo-like markings, reflecting a strong tradition among the Rapa Nui people[4][7][8]. Unearthing these buried statues has allowed researchers to understand the complex artistry and symbolism behind these iconic figures, enriching our understanding of Easter Island’s history and culture.
How Big Are they?
The largest Moai bodies uncovered are up to 10 meters (33 feet) tall and can weigh up to 80 tons.[2] These statues, known as Moai, are monolithic human figures carved by the Rapa Nui people on Easter Island in eastern Polynesia.
How Were Moai with Long Bodies Ever Moved?
The Moai with long bodies on Easter Island were moved using a method hypothesized by archaeologists Terry Hunt and Carl Lipo. They conducted experiments replicating the process of moving the Moai and found that the statues were not dragged but “walked.” The Moai were placed upright with a 14° angle at the bottom, making them lean forward. Ropes tied around the deep grooves of the eyes allowed the Rapa Nui ancestors to pull the statues to twist and turn on the ground to simulate walking. Volunteers cooperated to pull the Moai forward by making it twist with ropes tied to its eye sockets, mimicking a walking motion[11].
Citations
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moai
[2] https://explorersweb.com/easter-island-statues-bodies/
[3] https://m-solrecords.com/stories/famous-easter-island-heads-have-bodies-buried-underground/
[4] https://www.livescience.com/20580-easter-island-heads-bodies.html
[5] https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/mystery-easter-island-revealed
[6] https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/everything-to-know-about-easter-islands-iconic-statues
[7] https://www.interestingfacts.com/fact/6169f896bf8b900007ae0b00
[8] https://explorersweb.com/easter-island-statues-bodies/
[9] https://www.thoughtco.com/making-the-moai-of-easter-island-170750
[10] https://mae.ufl.edu/~uhk/MOAI-EASTER-ISLAND.pdf
[11] https://pages.vassar.edu/realarchaeology/2019/10/06/easter-island-moai-how-were-they-transported/
[12] https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2012.11613
[13] https://www.interestingfacts.com/fact/6169f896bf8b900007ae0b00
[14] https://m-solrecords.com/stories/famous-easter-island-heads-have-bodies-buried-underground/
[15] https://www.easterisland.travel/easter-island-facts-and-info/moai-statues/
[16] https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/el-gigante-stone-moai-rapa-nui
[17] https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/head-case/
[18] https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna47553054
