@mikeinburien: These moai are at the quarry Rano a Raraku, an ancient volcanic caldera. You can see up the hill toward the edge of the caldera many many spots where the moai were literally chiseled out of the volcanic rock. It's thought that it took 1.5 years to create a single moai and once it was initially completed it was hauled out of its spot and then stood up in a hole dug to support it while finishing details were completed like facial details, ears, arms, etc. These moai were intentionally buried to complete this process but were abandoned in place following the island war. These were not toppled or destroyed because their eyes were not completed until after they were placed on the ahu platforms. Because their eyes were not complete at the quarry they weren't considered alive and were simply ignored. These moai are probably some of the largest with 10 to 12 feet above ground and 15 to 20 feet below ground.#moai #easterisland #rapanui #tongariki #ranoraraku

MikeinPNW

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Saturday 20 June 2026 15:13:28 GMT