Were the Moai Along Rapa Nui’s Ara Moai (Moai roads) Standing? The LOC “Moai Roads” Survey, 2010–2017

Description:

This report describes and contextualises LOC's work on Rapa Nui (Easter Island)'s *Ara Moai* or "*moai* roads", a series of alignments of recumbent *moai*, which radiate out from the island's Rano Raraku statue quarry. New evidence—a study by us of the weathering profiles of their downward facing surfaces—is presented that proves conclusively that these moai were formerly standing. In addition, geophysical and locational/phenomenological evidence is adduced, which suggests that their positioning was deliberate, and that the alignments, were not the result of *moai* abandonment while in transit to *ahu*, the island’s ceremonial platforms, but deliberately erected processional ways.

subjects: Rapa Nui,  Easter Island,  archaeology,  archaeological survey,  Ara Moai,  moai,  Rano Raraku,  statue roads,  stone weathering,  moai weathering

Places: Rapa Nui,  Easter Island,  Rano Raraku