On a remote Pacific island called Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, nearly 1,000 massive stone figures known as moai stand facing inland. Carved between the 10th and 16th centuries, the statues were cut from volcanic rock inside a crater and then transported as far as 18 kilometers to the island’s coast. Some moai rise more than 10 meters tall and weigh over 80 tons, leaving scientists puzzled for decades about how they were moved.
For many years, researchers believed the statues were transported lying down on wooden sleds and dragged over rolling tree trunks. However, oral traditions passed down by the Rapa Nui people describe the moai as having “walked” to their final positions. To test whether this story reflected a real technique, archaeologists Carl Lipo and Terry Hunt created a 4.35-ton replica of a moai.
The research team tied ropes around the replica’s head, just below the brow ridge. Eighteen volunteers then pulled the ropes from three sides in a steady rhythm. By taking turns pulling, the statue rocked from side to side and slowly moved forward. In about 40 minutes, the replica traveled 100 meters in a zigzag pattern, showing that the method was possible.
To see how well this matched real statues, the researchers studied 3D models of moai found along ancient roads. Many statues have wide, D-shaped bases and lean slightly forward, features that would’ve helped them rock and move upright. The old transport routes are narrow and gently curved, which, while problematic for logrolling, would’ve been ideal for guiding a standing megalith.
Not all experts agree that this method explains how every moai was moved. Some believe different techniques were used in different places. Still, the “walking” theory offers a compelling explanation and highlights the ingenuity of the ancient islanders.