Rano Raraku

Alternative archeological theories, ranging from ideas explaining Atlantis to Stonehenge, are both intriguing and rather creative. However, the validity of such claims can be discussed, argued and explored. Investigating how reputable these ideas actually are when compared to legitimate archeological evidence is rather interesting. Easter Island is often described as the most remote place on earth. It is an isolated volcanic island located in Polynesia whose native name is Rapa Nui. This island is a prime example of this type of archeological controversy. Alternative and mainstream archeological theories, that begin to explain both its first inhabitants and the giant stone figures located on the island, are widespread. The presence of nearly 900 statues, with oversized heads, called Moai produced during the 13th-16th centuries have led to serious debate. Questions such as who, how, when and why these sculptures were created is a popular topic in the archeological world. Erich Von Däniken, author of Chariots of the Gods used the existence of these figures to argue for alien involvement in this region. Furthermore Thor Heyerdahl argues that the first inhabitants were not Polynesians but rather natives of South America. This essay will aim to illustrate the important aspects of both Däniken and Heyerdahl’s theories, their general framework, why they may have developed, any underlying practical problems within and finally specific archeological claims that contradict their…

The Easter Island or Isla de Pascua covers roughly 64 square miles in the South Pacific Ocean 2,300 miles from Chiles west coast. It currently has 887 still existing statues averaging 13 feet tall carved out of tuff which is the light, porous rock formed by consolidated volcanic ash on the island which proved that there was a rich culture among the settlers which first discovered it. These staues were placed on ceremonial stone platforms called ahus however till this day there is no information…

Easter Island can be a representation of today’s modern world view and actions. Historians speculate that the people from Easter Island became extinct due to the society using too many resources too quickly. Due to the island being so being so remote they only had a small amount of resources that they could use. With the people not realizing that they have a limited resource base they used many trees to move a lot of the stones around the island. This is what caused a chain of events to occur.…

Moai Statues I believe that the Moai statues were rolled in stead of walked. I say this because one they did have enough people to roll the statues. Two they could have cut down trees to roll the statues on. Lastly if they used the walking method for the statues, the statues could have been destroyed. Now I will go into my first reason which is they used trees. In the article it states that they cut down alot of trees to roll the statues on. I believe that they can use the same word over and…

Have you ever seen the strange statues on easter island? well in the magazine article “did aliens make these statutes” clearly explains two ways the statues appeared. over 1000 years ago a few explorers landed on the island and found the statues and no humans. it is believed that the people that lived there were rapanui, and they created the statues. There is only one problem, the statues weighed up to 80 tons and their height ranged from 4 to 33 feet. currently there are two theories to how the…

The history of Easter Island, its statues and its peoples, has long been shrouded in mystery. Some have suggested that aliens marooned on earth planted the statues as signals to their fellow aliens to rescue them. Others have said that the statues were constructed by a great race of guilders that were stranded on the island and built them before being rescued. Still others are convinced that an ancient society with the capability of…

Have you ever seen the strange statues on easter island? well in the magazine article “did aliens make these statutes” clearly explains two ways the statues appeared. over 1000 years ago a few explorers landed on the island and found the statues and no humans. it is believed that the people that lived there were rapanui, and they created the statues. There is only one problem, the statues weighed up to 80 tons and their height ranged from 4 to 33 feet. currently there are two theories to how the…

The Mystery Of Easter Island One may wonder about the mystery of Easter Island, is it a myth just like mermaids and aliens. Well, the mystery of how the statues got there has been proven in so many ways. Although, the most efficient way is by walking the statues. First and foremost, the Rapanui people never had enough people to move the statues by rolling them. As the text says,”... Lipo and Hunt believe the Rapanui population reached no more than 3,000 people,” (pg.11, ¶1). Also, the text…

impoverished population managed to create and transport such impressive monuments. Captain James Cook, one of the most famous explorers of the world, briefly visited Easter Island in 1774, and stated: “I can hardly conceive how these islanders, wholly unacquainted with mechanical power, could raise such stupendous figures”. (Mayans, Carme, 2015) It is unclear why the Easter Islanders turned to statue construction on such a vast scale. The obsession with it, presumably helped cause…

The Rapa Nui people were a set of tribes who lived in Easter Island, which nowadays belongs to the Chilean government and there's a population of 2.095 people. They descend from the first settlers from Polynesia. LOCATION AND CREATION OF THE ISLAND The Easter Island is a very little island in the Polynesia which was formed by three volcanic eruptions in the bottom of the sea between 3,000,000 and 750,000,000 years ago, which made the island have a triangular shape. All the volcanos in the island…