Dr. Terry Hunt's Research on Moai Statues
Dr. Terry Hunt has published a study on the moai statues of Rapa Nui, challenging the traditional Western view of how they were transported.
Over 1,000 moai were carved on Rapa Nui, with some standing over 10m tall and weighing 80 tons. Rapanui oral traditions have long claimed that the statues "walked" from the quarry, but this was dismissed as myth by Western scholars, who assumed log rollers were used instead.
Research Findings
Dr. Hunt and his colleague Dr. Carl Lipo analyzed 962 moai, including 62 abandoned along ancient roads. They found that these road moai have distinct features, including a forward lean, wider bases, and lack of eye sockets. These features are not suitable for horizontal transport but facilitate upright movement.
- Road moai lean forward
- Have wider bases
- Lack eye sockets
Physics explains how a forward-leaning moai acts like an inverted pendulum, rocking side to side as it advances.
To test their theory, Dr. Hunt and Dr. Lipo created a 4.35-ton replica of a moai and successfully "walked" it.
Author's summary: Dr. Terry Hunt's research challenges traditional views on moai statue transportation.
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