Ancient ‘Walking’ Technique Solved Mystery of How Easter Island’s Moai Statues Were Moved
Rapa Nui, Chile – โคA decades-old mystery surrounding the transportation of theโฃ massive moai statues on Easter Island (rapa โฃNui) may finally be solved, according to new research from Binghamtonโ University. โขAโ team led by Carl lipo has demonstrated โฃthat the statues were likely “walked” into place using a โrocking and swinging motion, challenging previous theories that involved complex ramps,โฃ logs, or large โteams pulling the โstatues upright.
The research, detailedโ in recent โfindings, centersโ onโค the unique design of the moai. Lipo’sโฃ team โขcreated high-resolution 3D models,identifying a wide D-shape base and a โขforward-leaning position as โkey features enabling this movement.
To test the theory, the team constructed a 4.35-ton replica of a moai with the โฃforward-leaning design. They successfully moved theโ replica 100 metersโค in 40 minutes with just 18 people, a notable betterment โฃover previous attempts utilizing vertical transport methods.”Physically, this makes โsense,” Lipo stated. “The โresults of our experiment really โฃwork. Even when the statue is bigger, the principle โคstillโ holds.”
Further supporting theโข “walking” hypothesis is the structure ofโฃ the roadsโฃ on Rapa Nui. The paths areโ approximately 4.5 meters wide with an inward curve, โฃproviding โstability duringโฃ the rocking โmotion. “Every time they move a statue, it seems โขlike they are also building a road.Theโค road is partโ of the moving process,” Lipo explained, notingโ the presence of numerous overlapping and parallel paths โขsuggesting a systematic clearing process.
Lipo asserts that no other theory adequately explains the movement of the moai and challenges others to โฃdisproveโ his team’s findings. “Findโ evidence that shows that โฃthe statue cannot walk. because soโ far,there is โnot a โคsingle finding โขthat refutes this theory,” he said.โข
The research alsoโข underscores the ingenuity of โthe Rapa Nui people,โค demonstrating their ability to achieve remarkable technical feats with limitedโ resources.Lipo emphasizes the importance ofโค scientifically testing theories โคabout theโค past, countering unsubstantiated narratives. “We โcan understand the past in aโ truly scientificโข way,” he said. “the vital stepโฃ is to say: ‘Look, we can buildโ explanations โthat can be tested and proven.'”
