The Moai statues of Easter Island known locally as Rapa Nui are among the most iconic and mysterious monuments in the world. Carved between 1100 and 1600 CE, these massive stone figures reach up to 33 feet tall and weigh as much as 80 tons.

Created by the Polynesian settlers of the island, the Moai were carved from volcanic tuff and transported across the island using methods that still inspire debate. Some researchers argue they were rolled on logs, while others propose that teams “walked” the statues upright using ropes.

The purpose of the Moai is closely tied to Rapa Nui’s ancestor worship. The statues likely represented important leaders or chiefs whose protective spirits watched over the island’s communities. Many Moai originally stood on ceremonial platforms called ahu, overlooking villages.

The island’s eventual ecological struggles such as deforestation led to the decline of statue construction. Yet the Moai remain a powerful symbol of Polynesian ingenuity, cultural identity, and spiritual connection to ancestors.