A mystery solved - maybe

@JudyEv (368894)
Rockingham, Australia
January 9, 2026 7:27pm CST
It’s never safe to assume anything but I’m assuming most of you have heard of the giant stone statues that appear all over Easter Island. This remote volcanic remnant is a Chilean island in the Pacific Ocean and home to almost 1,000 giant stone structures known as Moai. Some date back as far as the 13th century. Many stand in line on platforms known as ahu. On average, they stand 13 feet high and weigh 14 tons. Some are heads only; others heads and torsos. Some are adorned with ‘pukao’, ornamental head-dresses. It has always been a mystery as to how the heads were moved to where they now stand. Recent research and experimentation have shown that they were likely carved with a slightly rounded base. With ropes attached to stop them toppling forwards and ropes to either side they could be rocked and ‘walked’ to their destinations. Once in place, the base was made flat so they’d stand alone. Before your eyes glaze over, I’ll add the link here to the article about it. It’s pretty fascinating reading. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-02/rapa-nui-easter-island-moai-creation-and-movement-explained/106077706 Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons, courtesy of Mike W.
13 people like this
13 responses
@AmbiePam (109793)
• United States
10 Jan
That would make sense. I’ve always been fascinated by Easter Island.
3 people like this
@jstory07 (147184)
• Roseburg, Oregon
10 Jan
Those statues are amazing. We went to Easter Island when I was young.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (368894)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jan
That would have been fascinating. Do you remember much about the trip?
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (147184)
• Roseburg, Oregon
10 Jan
@JudyEv Just seeing the statues.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (201220)
• United States
10 Jan
Where there is a will, there is a way. Look at the pyramids.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (368894)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jan
Yes, that's another miracle.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (184284)
• Boise, Idaho
10h
I found the ones I read and videos I watched about how marble and other heavy building materials were moved in other areas fascinating too. People back then were determined to find a way. That's for sure.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (368894)
• Rockingham, Australia
4h
It's amazing how inventive they were.
@LadyDuck (490465)
• Italy
21h
May be they solved the mystery, but we will never know for sure.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (490465)
• Italy
2h
@JudyEv - I know, but the fact that you can do something, it does not mean that this was the method the ancient people used. They also showed how "may be" the large blocks to build the pyramids were moved, but still it's just a guessing.
@JudyEv (368894)
• Rockingham, Australia
4h
No, that's true but the archeologists were able to move a statue in that way.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53193)
10 Jan
I have done some reading about these in the past, I wish I could see them. Can you imagine the work it took to drag those stones around? Just incredible.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (368894)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jan
I can't imagine how many men on a rope it would take just to pull these upright.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53193)
48m
@JudyEv And any ropes or tools had to made. They wouldn't be like our ropes of today.
@GardenGerty (167156)
• United States
16h
Can you just imagine what those "walking" statues would have looked like? To see them and their "handlers" moving across the ground?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (368894)
• Rockingham, Australia
4h
There is a video clip in the article which shows them walking one. So interesting.
• Philippines
19h
You can really underestimate the minds of the people before even though technology is not as advanced today.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (368894)
• Rockingham, Australia
4h
They were very clever and very inventive in those days.
@wolfgirl569 (127735)
• Marion, Ohio
19h
That would work to move them. Building the pyramids was always fascinating too.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (368894)
• Rockingham, Australia
4h
There is a short clip showing them doing it and it certainly works.
@RasmaSandra (92745)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10h
Thank you for the info. Places like Easter Island have always fascinated me.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (368894)
• Rockingham, Australia
4h
For a long time they couldn't work out how they were moved.
@moffittjc (126879)
• Gainesville, Florida
14h
I actually like the allure of NOT knowing the true meaning of their existence. The mystery of their origins and purpose is exactly what makes them so appealing to me.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (368894)
• Rockingham, Australia
4h
I know what you're saying and I agree really. Once you know it's not 'magic', then it becomes hard work maybe but a bit ho hum.
@sallypup (67511)
• Centralia, Washington
10 Jan
I believe there are large stones like this in France, too. Quite the marvel to think about.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (368894)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jan
With the new techniques available they are finding out a lot more about these statues.
1 person likes this
• United States
20h
They are very interesting
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (368894)
• Rockingham, Australia
4h
They are indeed.
1 person likes this