Easter Island
Moai and Ahu
Easter island is famous for its large stone statues, or moai, which stand on stone platforms, or ahu. Over 800 such statues have been identified, either fallen from platforms (some have been restored), buried in the soil, or in some stage of being quarried or transported. Almost all are though to have been quarried inside the extinct volcano at Rano Raraku.
Statue Quarry at Rano Raraku
Other archaeological sites
In addition to the moai and ahu, Easter island has stone houses and petroglyphs that date to the time of the statue builders. A labyrinth of lava tube caves runs beneath the surface, and many have yielded evidence of human use. Rongorongo, an apparent style of writing developed by the ancient Easter islanders, has yet to be deciphered.
Rano Kau crater at Orongo
Ahu Tongariki
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