No one objects, right? The quarry, Rano Raraku, is just a stone’s throw away from the fifteen statues. After watching the breathtaking sunrise, it’s perfectly timed to explore as the site opens.
All the majestic statues on the island were crafted from this very volcano and then transported to their designated spots. According to a fascinating podcast, there used to be intense competitions for creating these statues. The heads of the statues were meticulously carved at the quarry, and the lower part was shaped into a rounded base.
By pulling ropes back and forth, the ancient builders could rock the statue like a roly-poly toy, allowing it to stand upright and move slowly to its final resting place. Finally, the arms were added. It seems that the production speed of the statues couldn’t keep up with the transportation, leaving many unfinished or broken statues (around 300?
) still lying in the ground, along with massive ones embedded in the mountain that have not been fully carved out, creating a truly awe-inspiring sight 🗿
Photos P8-18 were taken in early December, when the grass was still a golden hue.
Photos P1-7 were captured in late February, when the grass was lush and vibrant!
For more Easter Island travel guides, check out the homepage [Sneaky Smile R]
