Scientists have finally solved a great mystery behind Easter Island's iconic statues

[Judi Lynn]

Harriet Brewis
May 29, 2024

The imposing statues that line the coast of Easter Island have been an enigma to experts for centuries.

But now, archaeologists have finally answered one of the most burning questions surrounding the sculptures: why were they built?

The volcanic stone figures, called moai in the island’s native Polynesian language, are understood to have been carved between the years 1300 and 1600s.

And while it's generally acknowledged the iconic figures were dedicated to the island’s chiefs, no one could figure out why they were constructed in such specific areas.

The bulk of the 1,000-odd statues are situated along the coast of the Pacific island (also known as Rapa Nui) - a fact that left experts perpetually flummoxed.

And so researchers from New York’s Binghamton University decided to investigate these sites in depth. And, at last, they worked out that it was all to do with water.

More:
https://www.indy100.com/science-tech/easter-island-statues-mystery-solved

[question everything]

1. And the answer is - from the same story

The [island’s] porous volcanic soils quickly absorb rain, resulting in a lack of streams and rivers," Carl Lipo, an anthropologist at Binghamton University, explained in a statement.

"Fortunately, water beneath the ground flows downhill and ultimately exits the ground directly at the point at which the porous subterranean rock meets the ocean.

“When tides are low, this results in the flow of freshwater directly into the sea. Humans can thus take advantage of these sources of freshwater by capturing the water at these points."

By measuring the percentage of salt in the coastal waters, the scientists found a correlation between these freshwater supplies and the position of the statues.

“Now that we know more about the location of freshwater [...] the location of these monuments and other features makes tremendous sense,” Lipo said.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. So, the statues' positions correlates with a sustainable freshwater source for the labor force as a natural cause

and effect? Or were the statues intentionally placed there to point out where the freshwater sources were located?

[SARose]

3. Fascinating

Thank you so much!

[ananda]

4. That was very interesting.

Thanks for posting.

[Ray Bruns]

5. I'm not saying it was aliens but

https://giphy.com/gifs/historyuk-aliens-giorgio-ancient-3oEjI789af0AVurF60

[peppertree]

7. +1

[crickets]

6. Neat! Thanks for posting this. nt

[barbaraann]

8. Thank you for this info! Fall of Civilizations also has an episode on Easter Island.

[Qutzupalotl]

9. But why did they carve them all to look like Marjorie Taylor Greene?