2007-02-06 13:14:53 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
No one knows precisely what the deal is with the Easter Island statues; it's one of the greater unsolved issues of archaeology.
The most widely-accepted theory is that the statues were carved by the ancestors of the modern Polynesian inhabitants (Rapanui) at a time when the island was largely planted with trees and resources were plentiful, supporting a population of 10,000–15,000 native Rapanui. The majority of the statues were still standing when Jacob Roggeveen arrived in 1722. Captain James Cook also saw many standing statues when he landed on the island in 1774. By the mid-19th century, all the statues had been toppled, presumably in internecine wars.
As impressive as the statues are, the platforms (called ahu) used as a base for the statues contained 20 times as much stone, and actually required even greater resources to build.
2007-02-06 14:31:37 · answer #1 · answered by Evangeline 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's approximately the same as what's with the statue of Amon-Ra. They're meant for worship by pagans!
2007-02-06 21:27:15 · answer #2 · answered by Lacieles 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They haven't moved, they're still there.
2007-02-06 21:24:37 · answer #3 · answered by Old guy 124 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋