Easter Island(Spanish) Isla de Pascua, in Rapanui language Rapa Nui) - the most remote inhabited island in the world, the distance to the nearest inhabited place is Pitcairn Islands- 1819 km, and to the continental coast Chile- 3703 km.
Name of Easter Island
Easter Island named so by its discoverer - a Dutch traveler Jacob Roggeveen, because it was discovered on Easter Day in 1722. This island is also known as Rapa Nui, (big rapa), this is how the island was called by Polynesian (Tahitian) sailors and whalers, in contrast to simply Brine- islands 650 km south of Tahiti.
Location of Easter Island
Easter Island is located in Pacific Ocean(27°07" S 109°21" W), geographically it belongs to Polynesia, it is the easternmost point of the “Polynesian Triangle”. The closest continent, South America, is located more than 3,700 km to the east from Easter Island. 
Shape Easter Island resembles a right triangle. The island is of volcanic origin. Inactive volcanoes rise in the corners of the island: Rano Kao(324 m), Pua-Katiki(377 m) and Terevaka(539 m, the highest point of the island). The length from west to east is 24 km, from north to south - 12 km. The area of the island is 163.6 km2. 
Administratively Easter Island part of the Chilean region Valparaiso, headed by a governor accredited to the Chilean government and appointed by the president Chile.
Capital easter islands, the only permanent settlement, Hanga Roa located in the southwest of the island. There is an airport near the city Mataveri.
Airport Mataveri built in 1962 by specialists from the American NASA: V Pacific Ocean There was an urgent need for a tracking base for space launches and a reliable runway for rescuing astronauts during emergency landings.
Easter Island Climate
Climate easter islands subtropical. The average annual temperature is 21.8 °C, the coldest month is August (19.2 °C), the warmest is January (24.6 °C). Despite its proximity to the tropics, temperatures are relatively moderate. Heat is rare. This is due to the proximity of cold Humboldt current.
History of Easter Island
Easter Island known primarily for its numerous stone statues - moai, created by the ancient civilization of the island.
About even the approximate date of check-in easter islands There are still heated debates in the scientific community. It is assumed that the first settlers appeared here from the 300-400s to the 1200s. n. e. According to local legends, the settlers arrived on the island in two huge pirogues with large families. The settlements were founded by the legendary leader and father of all Rapanui people Hotu Matu'a.
Who the first Rapanui people were and where they came from also remains a controversial issue. Linguistically, the Rapanui language is confidently attributed to the Polynesian group; most researchers consider the Rapanui people to have come from Eastern Polynesia, ethnically close to the people Maori(New Zealand). It is also interesting that on easter island, the only one in the area of distribution of the Polynesian languages, there was writing before the arrival of Europeans. There were at least three writing systems, the most famous of which is rongo-rongo- hieroglyphic carvings on wooden tablets. None of the writings has been deciphered to date; the last bearer of Rongorongo was forcibly taken to Peru for slave labor in 1863 
Famous traveler and explorer Thor Heyerdahl defended the opposite, South American, Peruvian origin of the Rapanui people and provided a lot of evidence of the origin of the inhabitants easter islands from South American Indians.
There is also a third, less popular theory about the origin of the Rapanui people from the Melanesians, finding cultural parallels in Solomon Islands And New Guinea.
Recorded on easter island legend about the war between two island tribes - long-eared (hanau-eepe) And short-eared (hanau-momoko) is considered by some researchers to be confirmation of the simultaneous presence of different races on the island, most often Peruvians and Polynesians.
Civilization of the highest cultural flourishing easter islands reached in the 16th-17th centuries, when the population was supposedly about 10 thousand people.
As a result of an anthropogenic environmental disaster (all the forests on the island were cut down, the population was deprived of food sources and material for making boats) and a series of wars, by the time the first Europeans appeared on the island, the population had decreased to 2 thousand people. Subsequently, almost all the Rapanui people were taken to Peru for slave labor. In 1888, when Easter Island annexed Chile There were only 178 local residents on the island. Currently on easter island 3.7 thousand people live, about 60% of whom are indigenous Rapa Nui.
The ancient Rapanui people were not only extremely warlike, they engaged in cannibalism - they ate human flesh. Fingers and toes were considered a delicacy.
Almost the only documented Rapa Nui ritual was the competition to find the first egg, depicted in the popular adventure feature film Kevin Costner "Rapa Nui": young warriors of different clans on a certain day set out to swim on reed bundles to a nearby rocky island Motu Nui, where they were looking for the first sooty tern egg of the season. The egg must be delivered intact back to Easter Island and give it to the leader. The ritual was an element of cult Tangata-manu(bird man). Rapanui people are sometimes called "bird worshipers". One of the most common themes in petroglyphs (rock carvings) after male and female genital organs was birds and, especially, the frigate bird, both in the direct image and in the image of a man with the head of a frigate. 
Sights of Easter Island
Moai, ahu, pukao
The main attraction of the island is the stone idols - moai(literally from Rapanui - images). As soon as they are not called: statues, and giants, and idols, and colossi. Representatives of our company, during the familiarization tour, proposed a new term, which was quickly picked up by domestic tourists - " doldons".
Overwhelming majority " doldons"cut out of volcano rock Rano-Raraku. The largest (unfinished) statue measured about 20 m and weighed 270 tons. Moai “doldons” were delivered in a completely incomprehensible way to the coast, where they were installed with their backs to the ocean, facing inland of the island. There are a total of 997 moai recorded on the island ( see map of. Easter above).
It is known that moai were considered containers of special magical power - mana ancestors of the Rapanui people.
Externally, moai are strikingly different from each other; there are several types of statues. Various hypotheses explain the diversity of styles either by a gradual change in “fashion” for visual means, or by the actual depiction of different island races with their external differences (of course, assuming that ethnically different peoples existed on the island).
Methods for transporting giant statues are discussed by numerous groups of enthusiasts around the world, mathematical calculations and experiments are carried out, but local legend says that “the moai walked on their own.”
Almost all the “doldons” reached modern times in a fallen form. It is believed that the mass overthrow of the moai occurred during inter-clan wars on the island. Currently, many statues have been installed back in their rightful places.
Moai were installed on a pedestal ( ahu), and sometimes supplemented with a cap ( pukao) from red tuff. It is considered proven that at least some "doldons" had eyes made of white coral. Some of the idols have now had their eyes reconstructed.
On the slopes Rano-Raraku There are currently many unfinished statues in various stages of production. One gets the complete impression of a sudden cessation of moai production.
Rano-Raraku
Rano-Raraku- an ancient volcano, on the slopes of which there are about 300 moai, of varying heights and at different stages of readiness. Not far from the bay is located ahu Tongariki, the largest ritual site with 15 statues of various sizes installed on it.
Anakena
Anakena- a bay with a coral sand beach. According to legend, this is where the leader and forefather of the Rapanui people landed Hotu Matu'a. Ahus are located nearby Ature-Huki And Naunau.
Puna Paw
Puna Paw- a small volcano where red tuff was mined to make pukao hats that crown the heads of the moai.
Rano Kao
Rano Kao- a volcano with the best observation deck of the island. Ahu is nearby Orongo.
Easter Island (Spanish: Isla de Pascua, Polynesian: Rapa Nui) is one of the most isolated islands on Earth. Early settlers called the island "Te Pito O Te Henua" (The Navel of the World). Officially a territory, Easter Island is located far out in the Pacific Ocean, about halfway to Tahiti. Known for its mysterious giant stone statues, built centuries ago, depicting the dramatic rise and fall of Polynesian culture.
general information
The island's name recalls its discovery by a Dutch explorer on Easter Sunday 1722.
Ever since Thor Heyerdahl and a small group of adventurers set sail from South America to the Tuamotu Islands, far north of Easter Island, there has been controversy over the origins of the islanders. DNA testing has now conclusively proven that the Polynesians came from the west, not the east, and that the people of Easter Island are descendants of intrepid travelers who went there from Taiwan thousands of years ago. Legend has it that people went to Easter Island because their own island was gradually being swallowed up by the sea.
In short, the backstory of Easter Island is a series of achievements, prosperity and civilization that ended in environmental destruction and decline. Although there is no consensus as to when humans first arrived on Easter Island (estimates range from several hundred to more than a thousand years ago), it is believed that the first humans arrived from Polynesia. It is unlikely that this was a mistake or an accident: the evidence suggests that Easter Island was colonized deliberately using large boats with many settlers - a remarkable feat given the distance from Easter Island to any other land in the Pacific Ocean.
The first islanders found the land undeniably a paradise. Archaeological evidence shows that the island was covered with trees of various types, including the largest species of palm in the world, whose bark and wood were used by the natives to make cloth, rope and canoes. Birds were found in abundance. The mild climate favored an easy life, and the abundant waters provided fish and oysters.
The islanders prospered from these advantages and reflected this in the religion that became their leisure activity - the giant moai, or heads, that are the most distinctive feature of the island today. The moai that dot the island are believed to have been images of ancestors, whose presence was probably considered a blessing or a watchful guard in each small village.
The ruins of the Rano Raraku crater quarry, where dozens if not hundreds of moai are located at the very center, are testament to the importance of these figures to the islanders and how their lives revolved around these creations. It has been suggested that their isolation from all other peoples working in the center of trade and creativity created an expectation of some other significant path laid out for them, to which they could use their skills and resources. The bird-man in culture (in the form of petroglyphs) is clear evidence of the islanders' hopes for the opportunity to leave their island for distant lands.
However, as the population grew, so did the pressure on the island's environment. Deforestation of trees on the island gradually increased, and when this main resource was exhausted, the islanders found it difficult to continue making ropes, canoes and everything needed for hunting and fishing, and ultimately to maintain the culture that encouraged the islanders to produce giant stone figures. Apparently, divisions began to intensify (with some violence), confidence in the old religion was lost, which was reflected in part in the ruins of the moai, which were deliberately overthrown.
Towards the end of the glorious culture of Easter Island, the population reached a minimum, the inhabitants, due to the lack of food or means of obtaining a livelihood, sometimes resorted to cannibalism and raw food diet. Even subsequent raids by powers such as and , did not devastate the population so much; in the last century, only a few hundred Rapa Nui natives remained.
Today Rapa Nui National Park is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its residents rely on many tourist and economic connections to and daily flights to Santiago. Like many indigenous peoples, the Rapa Nui seek artifacts of their past and try to integrate their culture with the political, economic and social realities of today. You can book a hotel on Easter Island at, and you can check if there is a better price somewhere. Some travelers prefer to rent accommodation from locals - you can look at the offers.
How to get there
Due to Easter Island's extreme geographical isolation, many people believe that only a very intrepid traveler can reach it. Indeed, Hanga Roa's (IATA: IPC) scheduled commercial air services make it accessible, with tourism being the island's main industry.
Since this place is de facto part of , it is a domestic flight from Santiago and passports will not be required upon arrival from Chile. There are also flights from Tahiti - then your passport will be required.
However, these are more of a "path" for most people, with a minimum of 5.5 hours in the air from the nearest continent, and there are very few routes to get to Easter Island. Only regular LAN Airlines flights fly daily to Santiago and once a week to Tahiti. With no competition for this long and challenging flight, fares range from US$400 to US$1,200 per flight from Santiago. You can find out how much air travel will cost for your dates in the Travelask section.
Easter Island is considered to be "conveniently located" when it is revealed to be on the world tour map, where it acts as an interesting stopover between Polynesia and South America, and also helps to reinforce the perception of outsiders. Due to the waves, only one in four cruise ships can dock here.
If you want to go the intrepid route, "sailboat" Soren Larsen sails to Easter Island from New Zealand once a year. The journey takes 35 days, crossing the farthest point from land.
If possible, consider landing in Santiago after returning from Easter Island. There is a small chance that you will be denied boarding on your flight if there is a need for a medical evacuation, and a planned stopover will give you more options if you encounter this. The plane sometimes leaves the island late, which can result in problems with onward connections to the mainland.
By plane
Clue:
Easter Island - the time is now
Hour difference:
Moscow 9
Kazan 9
Samara 10
Ekaterinburg 11
Novosibirsk 13
Vladivostok 16
When is the season? When is the best time to go
Clue:
Easter Island - weather by month
Main attractions. What to see
The biggest attractions on Easter Island are the figures standing on ceremonial platforms called ahu, moai.
Please note that moai and their platforms are protected by law and should not be approached under any circumstances. Don't walk on the fence. This is extremely disrespectful and if you damage areas, even accidentally, the punishment will be severe. Recently, a German tourist who broke a moai's ear was sentenced to criminal charges and a fine of $10,000.
Rano Raraku and Orongo require a National Park entrance ticket, which can be purchased at the airport upon arrival or at the CONAF office. A ticket is required to enter both places, so make sure you have it securely. The rest of the island can be visited without a ticket.
Ahu are mainly located along the coastline of the island. First time visitors may be amazed at how many archaeological sites there are around the island that you can practically visit on your own depending on the season and time of day.
Each clan usually had a guardian, although not all of them were moai, so if you drive along the southern coast of the island, you will see that every mile there are areas of ruins.
Two exceptional sites are the volcanic craters of Rano Kau Rano and Raraku. A little further into the quarry at Rano Raraku there is a place where most of the moai were created, on the side of a hill. This is a 300-foot cooled volcano that provided stones for great creations. The visitor can see various stages of carving, as well as partially finished figures scattered around. The climb along the left side of the volcano, to the top and inside the crater, will be remembered for a long time. The opposite side of the crater, where some of the moai were carved, is one of the most dramatic sites on the island, but unfortunately is currently inaccessible.
Likewise, Rano Kau is the remnant of a volcanic ash cone, like Rano Raraku, filled with fresh rainwater and has a mottled, ethereal appearance that will take your breath away. There are other Hanga Roa viewpoints nearby.
Often overlooked, what makes Easter Island particularly fascinating is its extensive cave systems. While there are several "official" caves, which are quite interesting in their own right, there are numerous unofficial caves on the island, most of which are located near Ana Kakenga. While exploring them you will feel like a real adventurer.
CONAF (the national park maintenance organization) classified the caves as dangerous for tourists, and park rangers began regulating access to the caves in March 2014. According to park rangers, there is a risk of collapse, especially at Ana Te Pahu, which is located under the road. Consequently, tour operators will no longer take their clients to the caves (caving visits have now been replaced by excursions to other archaeological sites). There is currently no fence preventing access and it is entirely possible to visit the caves individually with local guides, although some precautions and restrictions must be observed.
While the openings in most of these caves are small (some are barely large enough to crawl through) and hidden (the backdrop of a rather surreal lava field could be compared to the surface of Mars), many of them lead into inordinately deep and extensive cave systems. Note of caution: these caves can be dangerous in that many go much deeper. A person left without a torch will be plunged into complete darkness with little hope of getting out anytime soon... if ever.
The caves are also extremely wet and slippery (some ceilings have collapsed due to water erosion). Also, subtropical rain should not be underestimated. Climate change is very fast, and there is a risk of unexpectedly ending up in a flood zone due to rain. And this is in a cave with limited space to move!
Beaches. Which ones are better
Easter Island has two white sand beaches. Anakena, on the north side of the island, is a great spot for surfing with small waves. You can also surf in the harbor in Hanga Roa, which many of the locals do. There is a small parking lot, toilets (costing $1), several small barbecue cafes with refreshments and a shady picnic area. Palm trees imported from Tahiti complete the calming effect. Anakena includes 2 ahu with moai. Be careful when walking under trees - coconuts may fall. Anakena is considered the place where the colonial tribes first appeared on Easter Island, which is why it is called the birthplace of the island's civilization.
The second beach is the pearl of the island and is called Ovahe, east of Anakena. This beautiful and deserted beach is surrounded by breathtaking cliffs. Please note: the path leading down to the beach is quite uneven and the best way to get here is on foot. Off-road driving (unlike some tourists erroneously) is illegal in most of the island.
Sometimes big waves wash all the sand out of Ovahe and then slowly bring it back. The last such case occurred in 2012.
Some sources mention that you can spend the night in one of the caves in the Ovahe Beach area, but this information is outdated as water is currently leaking through cracks. In addition, it is not recommended to enter the cave at night without an instructor.
Food. What to try
Hanga Roa's restaurants are on the main street and near the harbor, but there are several others scattered in the surrounding areas.
Traditional foods include curanto and tuna ahi.
Menus tend to be limited as most of the food on the island has to be imported, which explains the price level on the island. Even in regular restaurants, appetizer prices start at $20 and up. The assortment of fish is quite large, as is the case in continental fish. Pizza and other usual foods are available at the corner cafe next to the Catholic Church. A large pizza, however, will cost you 14,000 - 22,000 pesos. There is a large selection of toppings and a truly varied menu.
There are 2 types of lobsters. The big one is called a real lobster, and the small one, equally delicious, is called "Rape Rape" by the locals. Currently, lobsters are protected and restrictions are placed on their fishing during the off-season.
The local tuna is considered a delicacy for its white meat and is highly recommended. The octopus and several types of fish are also very tasty.
There are also a few limited-stock grocery stores (only a few of which can be considered actual supermarkets) where visitors can pick up snacks, a limited selection of sundries, booze, etc. It should be noted that it is difficult to shop at grocery stores on Easter Island. They are all quite small and their range is constantly changing. A large number of products are not on the shelves - they can only be obtained by consulting with the seller. If possible, it makes sense to bring canned food and drinks with you from the mainland. This will save you from having to overpay on the island, and will also provide you with everything you need.
Like souvenir sellers, many restaurants on the island do not accept credit cards or have high minimum prices. Tipping is also included (10% is considered a polite level). However, check your receipt before paying for anything, as some restaurants add a mandatory service charge to your bill.
- Kanahau - good food and service on Main Street.
- Kotaro is a Japanese restaurant with delicious food and excellent service from the chef himself.
- Kuki Varua - great food and great service. Try to have your table on the second floor terrace.
- La Kaleta. A restaurant with a beautiful view of the sea and delicious food. It has the reputation of being the best restaurant on the island, so it's not the cheapest place either.
- La Taverne du Pêcheur is a small French restaurant in the port part of the village. Very good seafood. This may be the most expensive restaurant on the island. Some people think the prices are too high.
- Mamma Nui is a family restaurant serving traditional cuisine. They specialize in tunu ahi.
- Pea. Despite the sea view, the high prices are not comparable to the quality of the main dishes.
- Tataku Vave. Since the restaurant is not located in the very center, you would not be able to find this gem without recommendations from the reception. The seafood, service and view are as good as the most expensive restaurants, but the prices are much more reasonable. They specialize in small lobsters ("Rape Rape"). Exquisite views of the sunset and crashing waves. 8,000 - 12,000 pesos per person, plus drinks. The access road is steep, but you can drive slowly or take a taxi.
- Te Moana. The restaurant moved from the main street to the end line in 2013. The tuna sandwich is especially good. And a live orchestra often plays on Wednesdays and weekends.
- Te Ra"ai offers a package that includes travel (hotel - restaurant - hotel), a Polynesian dance show and the Curanto dinner. The restaurant is located outside of Hanga Roa. Reservations are required as the restaurant is very popular. The show has some Brazilian influence due to with its owner.
- Varua, Atamu Takena. A new restaurant with all the classic trappings can be found on the island at good prices, plus an excellent menu for the main courses of the day (starter, main course and fruit juice). The service and food are excellent.
Less expensive options include sandwiches and empanadas. Alternatively, you can find a local bakery and make your own sandwiches. Budget travelers or those looking for simple food can try the following options:
- Club Sandwich also has fantastic empanadas, but sandwiches are their true calling and are worth a try. Try a banana and orange smoothie if available. To my shame, they are not open for breakfast.
- Donde el Gordo on Church Street is also a good option for those looking for simple food, but their sandwiches are a bit more expensive.
- Mahina Tahai - classic large "menu", includes bread, butter, soup, fish steak and rice, juice and dessert.
- Miro is located close to the cemetery and has large pizzas.
- Piroto Henua is a sports bar with a simple menu near the airport entrance.
Beverages
The Chilean drink pisco, made from fermented grapes, is the unofficial drink of the island. However, pisco is sour and should be mixed with lemon juice and egg whites, which is a better option if you are not used to whiskey or rum. Drinking pisco has a lower strength than vodka, although Chileans do not recommend it.
On the island you can also try drinks made from papaya, mango or guava, depending on the season. All these natural juices are mixed with pisco. About 4,000 pesos at the restaurant.
Another common cocktail is piscola, pisco with Coca-Cola.
The local brewery is called Mahina, producing light craft beer and stout. It was closed for almost 2 years between 2012 and 2014, but is now open again. They also produce delicious bottled souvenirs. Despite its name and local ownership, the Akivi brand is made on the mainland (the brewery is located in Quilpué).
The going rate for a can of soda at a restaurant or hotel seems to be around 1,500 - 2,000 pesos. You can buy beer for the same price.
Safety. What to watch out for
In practice, there is no street crime in Hanga Roa. Thus, well-behaved tourists have nothing to fear. Tourists who require police assistance can contact the local PDI (Chilean Federal Police) office, which is located outside the city a short taxi ride away and is open until 6 pm. However, be aware that officers generally only speak Spanish.
If you have lost your passport, you can file a report for 500 pesos and also replace your visa application; A photocopy of the document will be invaluable. Presentation of this report will allow you to board a plane back to Santiago, the rest will be decided by your embassy.
Mornings are dark during the winter months (June - August) and nights can be cold until spring (September - October). Depending on the season, you should not forget about protection from the sun and wind.
Hepatitis vaccinations are suggested by the CDC for visitors to Easter Island primarily due to street food vendors and tropical water consumption. Easter Island officials insist the water is safe, but some say it tastes strange and could disrupt your intestinal flora. Avoid drinking tap water and eating street food until you know how it will affect you. Let the hotels prepare all the food and drinks for the stomachs of the tourists and therefore be safer than the restaurants. Day excursions organized by tour companies often include a prepared lunch. They should also be safe as many tour companies are affiliated with hotels and source their products from the kitchens of the tourist hotels, but if in doubt, ask.
There are many stray dogs on Easter Island. It is advisable not to allow them to approach, as some of the dogs are unpredictable. Get rid of stray dogs using a commanding voice and stern gestures. If you are bitten by a dog, go to the hospital and get a rabies shot.
Visitors to Anakena Beach should be careful when walking under the palm trees. Coconuts may fall and hit you. Also, Anakena Beach has many vendors selling very exotic looking food and drinks that are interesting to try, but one must always keep in mind that there is no running water in this part of the island, so hygiene and food safety should be an important criterion when purchase. If you decide to get the hepatitis vaccine before arriving on the island, keep in mind that it involves three shots and will take several months to provide full protection.
Remember that some of the island sites can only be reached after a long journey, sometimes steep and potholed. Always ask your instructors about this. The path of more than 700 meters will quickly tire you. Travelers will enjoy the experience more if, especially in key areas, physical activity does not cause problems.
Travelers who have difficulty walking, using stairs or using wheelchairs will have limited travel. The trails simply don't support wheeled vehicles. Stairs can be very steep and quite narrow for people walking up and down the same steps. Steep slopes sometimes do not have safety railings. Most trails do not have facilities and can be narrow. You are not allowed to leave the trail: this will result in a complaint from your guide and is also against park rules.
Things to do
Some areas of the restoration area (Pua Katiki and Terevaka Peninsula) are forested. These areas may only be accessible on foot or horseback. Access to recovery areas by car is strictly prohibited.
Much of the west coast is not accessible by vehicle, leaving only hiking or horse riding (limited accessibility).
Snorkeling is a popular pastime, even with the current partial restrictions in some areas (around Motu Nui and Motu Iti islands). There are diving centers here that rent equipment and organize boat excursions for divers: Atariki Rapa Nui, Orca and Mike Rapu Diving.
Large sea turtles can be seen near the fishing boats.
Tours
Group tours are the most common way to explore the island. Given the lack of public transport, sharing a tour with a group of tourists is an effective way to reduce the burden on the environment. Travel companies also provide private tours.
Local guides can also show you some aspects of island life that you might never otherwise see or hear.
Travel agencies sell vacation packages that include accommodation and excursions. However, only places officially owned by a company can legally provide their services tax-free (the invoices they give you, Law 16.441). This means you will avoid VAT and other taxes when you go directly to the operators.
There are 4 established local tour operators, each with at least ten years of experience.
Aku Aku Turismo. Tour operator primarily providing Spanish group tours. Their office is located next to the Manutara Hotel reception.
Kia Koe Tour, Atamu Tekena s/n, Hanga Roa, ☎ +56 32 210-0852. The main tour operator on Easter Island. The office is located on the main street. Tours are available in a group or with a private guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Japanese. They also provide charters and catered cruisers. The company was founded in 1984.
Mahinatur. One of the oldest tour operators, their specialty is tours in French.
Rapa Nui Travel. Tour operator providing mainly German group tours.
The tourist information center can also put you in touch with freelancers, but professional guides work mainly with large tour operators.
Easter Island Travel. Specializing in private groups, experienced in adventure and independent cruise excursions. English and Spanish speaking guides.
Green Island Tours-Easter Island.
When dealing with small companies or individual freelancers, you should always have a description of the services and total cost in writing for your own safety. In addition, law firms in, including Easter Island, have a RUT (9-digit code).
Hike
Hiking is quite easy on Easter Island. It is not necessary to hire a guide for this, although to see some of the hidden archaeological treasures of these routes it may be worthwhile. If you decide to do this without a guide, all you need is a simple map and some recommendations from the receptionist or park rangers (especially taking into account local laws and regulations).
The most popular hike options are recovery zones. They are not accessible to any type of vehicle (even the old paths are still partially visible; visiting these areas is prohibited):
The hike to Terewau, the island's highest point, is fairly easy. The journey to the top will take about 1.5 hours, and allow another hour for the return journey (from and to Ahu Akivi). Or you can start from Vaitea (about half way to the main Anakena beach). You can also get there on horseback (usually there are tours every morning, depending on the weather).
Rano Kau can be easily reached on foot. When you reach the volcanic crater, simply drive along the east side of the crater to see views not accessible by other vehicles. You can also go to Orongo or just take a tour.
The northwest coast hike will take approximately 5 - 7 hours and will require some planning and preparation. You can simply take a taxi to the main beach of Anakena and head back along the coast to Hanga Roa. You can also go on horseback, although this is less accessible (the route is not as popular and more expensive than others). Although there are several archaeological sites here, which, however, are not of great interest. Among them, for example, is a cave full of petroglyphs.
Pua Katiki is an isolated northeastern peninsula with high, steep cliffs. Some of them are currently used as cattle grazing areas. The climb to the top will take about 1.5 hours. Along the way you can see some interesting monuments, including the infamous "Virgin's Cave".
Shopping and shops
Since there is only one village on the island, Hanga Roa, craft markets and shops are mainly located on its main street, church street or nearby.
Many local small producers are located in large areas close to tourist bus stops - they are worth a look if you would like to purchase local artisan products or limited-edition souvenirs that cannot be found in other countries. You can also buy souvenirs at the airport, but they will be mass produced.
The official currency is the Chilean peso (CLP), but unlike the continental one, here you can pay in cash using dollars (USD). Almost all hotels and business travelers accept USD, but you should convert to check which rate is best for you. Taxi drivers only accept small USD bills.
Some guidebooks claim that you can use euros (EUR), but this information is false, although some souvenir shops readily accept cash. However, you can exchange euros at a gas station at a reasonable rate (more convenient than in banks).
When buying souvenirs, it is better to pay in cash. Often sellers will inflate the minimum price or charge service fees for using a credit card (about 10 - 20%) - only in cases where the seller accepts credit cards at all; many small manufacturers only accept cash.
There are a total of 2 ATMs on the island. The ATM in front of the Banco Estado on Tu "u Maheque Hanga Roa accepts only Cirrus, Maestro and Mastercard, except branded Visa cards. The ATM on Policarpo Toro accepts Visa, Cirrus, Maestro and Mastercard. Previously, there were ATMs in the airport departure hall, as well as inside the gas stations , but both ceased operation (July 2013).
The local bank can issue Visa loans, but they are open only part-time (Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 13:00) and queues can be long, especially at the end of the month.
Some of the most unique things on the island are the banks (CONAF and almost all the businesses). They are very picky when it comes to the condition of dollar bills. Banknotes are not considered valid if they are torn, wet, defaced, or even if they are old and tattered. These notes can be saved for some other purpose. However, when you take out dollars yourself (or exchange money before visiting the island), you should keep this in mind.
Unlike on the continental island, 19% VAT is not charged on Easter Island.
Clubs and nightlife
Nightlife on the island is less active than in larger cities, and the main attraction is definitely the Polynesian dance shows. Kari Kari on the main street, Wai Te Mihi next to the cemetery and Te Ra'ai restaurant outside Hanga Roa have their own specialties throughout the year (except during the holidays and Tapati, when dancers participate in festival events). Discos, Toroko and piriti - places where you could easily fit in with the crowd of locals.
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How to return
LAN Airlines has regular flights to and from (daily), to Lima (currently discontinued) and Tahiti (weekly). If you are departing from an airport in another country, there will be a small cash exit fee.
Since those above are already trying to understand why this Moai decided to drown, I answer. Employees of both dive centers in the area said that they tried to take away a particular specimen by ship. But something went wrong and the ship capsized.
This version is quite true because:
- it is really made of stone and is very similar to those left on land
- lies at a depth of 28 meters. For the fun of divers, ships and other things are sunk in the area of 15–18 so that they can dive without AOWD
- a lot of idols were taken out. It is quite possible that once again a ton of stone was poorly secured. There are no legends like “The spirit of the stone did not allow us to leave the island.” Just bad luck once again. Dozens of other Moai were removed and are in museums around the world. The most skillfully made one with an ass (almost the only one with this part of the body) is exhibited in the London Museum (I don’t remember which one)
Moai underwater is unusual. But the most surreal and jaw-dropping view is the volcano mountain where these Moai were chiseled out of stone. Seeing multi-ton stone faces scattered at different angles is cool.
The island is nothing at all. The photos above show typical vegetation. The only thing missing is trees; they are still present on this piece of land in some low-lying places. There are no minerals. The sea doesn't shine either.
Why did people decide to settle there about thirteen centuries ago? In fact, the question is different, why did the people who settled there cast off and run into the open ocean? There were no global cataclysms in this area to allow us to talk about an isthmus to the mainland or the presence of other islands a thousand years ago. Just for some unknown reason, one authoritative person said “Let’s rush there” and pointed at ninety degrees to the shore of his homeland. And others said “Come on!” Scientists still don’t know what made the authority lift so many people from their homes and swim to nowhere. But it’s perfectly clear why these people decided to settle on the island of “damn nothing.” It’s very simple - when you’ve traveled a couple of thousand kilometers in boats across the Pacific Ocean (at that time there were no steam engines even in Europe), you’ll be happy with anything.
So, a second wave of immigrants came, who seemed to arrive without women. It is unclear what they were hoping for. But they were lucky - women were in the first wave. And the first migrants shared them in a friendly manner. Everyone lived happily and called themselves Rapa Nui.
But there are few resources, so few that even the handful of people who grazed on this island were not enough. In addition, those who arrived last were slightly underdeveloped. And a paradox occurred: those who came in large numbers became bosses, and those who remained turned into almost powerless guest workers.
I don’t know how guest workers won honor and respect. But the cool ones decided everything like adults. Google suggests that at its best, about ten thousand people lived on the island. I don’t know how many clans there were, but they definitely existed. And the more developed settlers did not come up with anything better as proof of toughness than riveting idols from stone. The Rano Raraku volcano was adapted for raw materials. If you want honor and respect for your clan, hollow out a stone muzzle weighing several tons and cockroach it into your territory. Whoever has more stone faces is cooler. Each idol symbolizes a connection with the ancestors and endows the clan with mana. When wars happened, enemies tried to plunder as many of the enemy's Moai as possible, thereby demoralizing him.
The second unanswered question is how the Moai were dragged from the volcano. Although the island is small, transporting such cargo requires very compelling reasons and some kind of technology. There was more than enough of the first, but there were problems with the second. I'm not sure that the Rapanui even used horses. Most likely it was dragged by hand. This is where the less developed migrant workers came in handy. Some believe that stone muzzles weighing several tons were rolled on logs, others believe that they rolled from side to side. But somehow they were pushed even to the opposite coast. Although, as the photographs show, there are a lot of them, and even more likely, most of them remained on the hill.
The largest Moai, which was finally dragged to its destination, is five meters high and weighs 75 tons. The largest, which was not completed yet, is about twenty meters high and 270 tons.
The tough ones, by the way, were called long-eared, and migrant workers were called short-eared.
And the latter did not like this state of affairs. They carry Maui, and honor and respect to those who forced them to carry them. The revolution has happened. And although the long-eared ones were developing, the short-eared ones clearly knew life. Whatever one may say, it was necessary to develop not carrying some kind of crap across the entire island, but at least upgrade the stone axes. In general, all or almost all of the long-eared people were dealt with.
This concluded production of Maui. They continued to worship those that had already been installed in holy places, but they stopped bringing new ones. The official version seems to say that the short-eared ones have not matured enough in mind to achieve such a crowning achievement of human genius as hollowing out a several-ton muzzle and ramming it five kilometers away. Personally, I think that they just turned on their brains to the fullest and came to the conclusion that in this world, even in their little world, there are much more interesting, and most importantly, much more useful activities.
The short-eared people stopped hammering rocks to boost their self-esteem. The old idols, of course, have not gone away, but either a tsunami will roll in or a volcano will hit you a little. Stone by stone, but gradually the Moai were destroyed, taking mana with them. And besides, all clans cannot remain at the same level of coolness. If we don’t make new Moai, then where will we get additional honor?
And at some point, the veneration of the Moai begins to intertwine with the veneration of the bird-man, something like a demigod or something like that. Old beliefs and gods are not abolished, but gradually move towards rituals and the acquisition of power without material evidence like a block of ten tons. Now the bird-man has become the main one on the island. He is the god's vicegerent and is worshiped as a god. To become one, you must complete the task first on the designated day and hour. To do this, next to the damn nothing of Easter Island there is a fucking nothing in the form of the island of Motu Nui. Apart from stones, there are only nests of sea gulls on it. So, to become a god, you need to go down the very steep rocky slope of the volcano, swim a kilometer to Motu Nui, climb its steep slope, find a sea gull egg and return along the already trodden path with it to present it to the chief priest. Of course, it cannot be broken. Where they put it in order to save it during the return journey, history is silent. Or maybe there was no need to drag it, maybe they took the gentlemen at their word.
Now another confirmation of my theory that the short-eared ones were not so stupid. At least some of them. So, some pretzel managed it. But it is not he who becomes the main one, but the one he represents. Not every shit becomes the main thing, right? Now the one who was represented by the hero-egg finder, well done, he is now a god. He is shaved in all places. including eyebrows. They give a new name. They are renovating the cave dwelling after the previous god. In this cave, the hero's representative will spend the next year, making laws and resolving conflicts. He cannot prepare food for himself - the priest does it for him. He cannot cut hair or nails, this is also the responsibility of the priest. He can’t let alone talk to anyone, no one has the right to look at him. That is, God lives as a hermit. His only means of communication with the people under his control is the high priest, who conveys the decrees of the bird-man. Not stupid, right? At the same time, every year the priest does not strain for the sake of his title, well, except for jumping, waving the local censer and bringing food to the “overlord” (I doubt that at least one priest himself strained for the sake of cooking). What that pretzel from the cave actually said, even the pretzel himself won’t remember in a year. Even if he remembers, at the time of his communication with other people he will no longer be a god. This means that attacking the high priest is fraught with the loss of your own eggs, and not the bird’s. And cooking is also a good space for action. If the bird-man wanders off the banks, then mix in the necessary drug and that’s it. The gods called to themselves, he was so cool, what else can I say. In the meantime, there are no eggs, I will be in charge here. Well, or fuck off to Motu Nui right now, if you want, but don’t come back without balls. Are there any birds with eggs? Your problems.
Although in fact the main power was with the military leaders, I believe.
We have all heard about the mysterious island where the stone heads are located, but not everyone is able to answer that this is Easter Island, and finding it on the world map will be even more difficult.
Tourists appeared there not so long ago, but tours to this mysterious corner of the Earth are already being sold all over the world. It needs to be explored in order to understand where these huge statues came from, who was able to make these stone giants?
There are many theories about their origin, but until now scientists have not come to a consensus on where these blocks came from. Maybe this is the work of giants or space aliens, or maybe the statues have been standing here not so long ago? Which of these theories is the most consistent is still debated by the greatest minds of mankind. This is one of the most important mysteries on Earth.
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Where is Easter Island on the world map
The island belongs to, but is located 3,500 kilometers from land, so often people cannot even find the island. Easter on the world map. Easter is not large in size, the area is about 165 square kilometers. But this territory has its own administrative center, which is also the only city - Anga Roa. The total population is about 6 thousand people.
O. Paskha is so remote from other objects that the closest populated area to it is another Fr. Pitcairn is 1800 kilometers away.
If you look at satellite photos showing the location of Easter Island on the world map, you will notice that the coastline is slightly indented, so its outline is more like a right triangle.
Geographic coordinates of Easter Island are 27° 6’ 67 south latitude, 109° 21’ 3 west longitude. There are several volcanoes on the territory, some of which are still active. In addition, people are attracted by wild nature, because not every corner is inhabited by people.
Appearance of the name
The name is indeed very strange. But few people know that this place is called by many peoples differently, for example, Hititeairagi, or Hiti-ai-rangi, Tekaowhangoaru, Mata-ki-te-Ragi, Te-Pito-o-te-henua. All these names come from the Rapanui language, which is widespread in Oceania.
But if you may have never heard these names, but the name Rapa Nui is more popular among people. This name was given by sailors a long time ago so as not to confuse the territory with others. Scientists believe that this name was established in the 1860s.
But no matter what the locals call their lands, we know them under the name Easter Island. This name was given when the Dutchman Jacob Roggeveen discovered a piece of land in the middle of the ocean on Easter Sunday - April 5, 1722. After some time, the territory was named in honor of this event.
History of the occurrence of. Easter
It is clear that civilization was here before the 18th century, and the age of the statues has not yet been determined. They are believed to be more than five centuries old, and the earliest may have been made in the mid-13th century.
But researchers came to the conclusion that people settled the land back in 1200 BC. It is still not known how they were able to do this, because it was almost impossible to overcome such a distance at that time.
Moreover, the mysteries do not end there; experts argue about who lived here. Some claim that American Indians lived here, others suggest that they were Peruvians, and others believe that another people lived on these lands, who were part of an unknown civilization, but became extinct over time. Local residents have a legend about long-eared and short-eared tribes that lived here and fought against each other. It is they who are credited with the construction of all the idols, but it is difficult to imagine how people of that time could create such gigantic heads.
In addition to the statues, scientists discovered ancient writing; it is also unknown which people it belonged to.
If we talk about modernity, then Fr. Easter joined Chile in 1888 and has been Chilean ever since, although there are independent elections for the heads of the administrative centers. For a long time the territory had infringed rights, but the situation improved in the 1950s.
Climate
The area is in a tropical climate, with an average temperature all year round of more than 22 degrees. Sometimes the heat subsides due to cold winds blowing from Antarctica. There are no rivers, but water comes to residents from lakes and underground sources.
If we talk about temperature, the warmest month is January, and the coldest month is August. The most rain is observed in March and April, when 15 days can have precipitation. And the driest months are February and August, when it can only rain for 5-7 days.
In general, the climate in the area allows tourists to travel here all year round. During the day it is not too hot here; cool winds sometimes cool the surface of the water and land very much. In the evenings you will even have to wrap yourself in warm clothes.
Flora and fauna
No one knows why many plants died out here in an instant. Now there are no more than 30 species of flora representatives. Only in recent years have they begun to actively return vegetation to this island. So, the following were imported: grapes, melon, sugar cane, banana. All root vegetables are very expensive on the island as they are shipped from the mainland.
The fauna is also not rich. Europeans brought domestic animals here: goats and sheep, chickens. Before this, only birds and sea animals, such as turtles, seals, and fur seals, predominated.
What is Fr. famous for? Easter
The most famous feature of the Moai, of course, is the statues in the form of huge heads. There are about a thousand of these heads on the island, all of them are very tall, reaching a height of 20 meters.
It is completely incomprehensible how people could make such figures and place them around the entire perimeter. In addition to individual statues, there are entire complexes and parks where they are displayed in a row or simply grouped.
Tourists are also attracted by the following attractions:
Every corner has wonderful views. There are no exquisite architectural sights here; people come here for something completely different - to enjoy the beauty of an unexplored island, about which there are various legends.
Best time to visit
There are a lot of tourists here all year round, even despite the remoteness of the territory. The tourist season depends on the weather and usually lasts from January to May.
The most comfortable months for travel are January, February and March, when the temperature stays at + 26-27 degrees.
In the ocean, the water heats up to +25 in February and March. But August, September and October are not very good for traveling here. The temperature during these months does not exceed +20, with strong winds blowing.
But remember that even if it’s warm and dry during the day, it’s better to prepare a warm jacket for yourself in the evening, since the air cools down very quickly, and before you know it, you’ll freeze.
Although the ocean is suitable for swimming, beach holidays are not at all popular here. In addition, there are not many beaches that are equipped for tourists; most often they are wild and rocky cliffs, where swimming is strictly prohibited, and you don’t want to. Take into account:
You need to come to the island for at least 4-5 days to have time to see everything. There is only one city and not many hotels, so local residents can come to the rescue, often renting out a room or an entire apartment.
How to get there
Even more often, people prefer to vacation in the wild, stay right by the ocean in a tent or request a place in campsites. This saves money, although the conditions are not the most comfortable.
You can also get to Easter Island by water. The world map shows that the archipelago is located in, but let’s say right away that this method will be more expensive than an airplane. Firstly, you can do this on your own yacht, but if you don’t have one, then private companies provide their services. You can get there by yacht in 5-7 hours.
It is better to find out the ship schedule on site or on special websites. In this case, in any case, you first need to get to South America, and this is difficult and expensive, because such a flight costs from 35 thousand rubles, which is why the main tourists on the island are elderly and rich people who are able to bear such expenses.
Don't forget about moving around the island. There are only two roads, so it will be difficult to get lost. But at the same time, the main beauties are located along the edges of the island, so a person may not be able to complete this route on foot. It is best to rent a bicycle, motorcycle or car to explore all corners of the mysterious territory.
Conclusion
Easter Island is a lifelong dream for some. After all, we have heard so many times about this miracle, but so few have seen it in person. All the Moai statues, volcanoes, and the ocean add an unimaginable atmosphere to this area. Questions hung in the air: “Who created this?”, “How did they end up here?”, “Is it true that they were alive before?” Some are extremely difficult to answer even for experts.
Whatever the truth, I really want to come here. After all, this picturesque island has more than just statues. It has a very interesting history, nature, colorful views. Therefore, if you are going to Chile, you simply cannot miss the opportunity to visit Easter Island.
There are not many tourists here yet; you can almost always find a quiet place where you can sit, reflect on life, and try to understand the answer to this mystery of the island. From all the figures on the island, you can choose one and try to find out the secret of these giant heads, perhaps you will succeed.
We bring to your attention an educational video with interesting facts about Easter Island:
Based on the name of the island. But the island was created long before the concept of Easter arose, and there are much more anomalies in it, so we learn new knowledge immediately after the end of the world :)
Easter Island is an island in the Pacific Ocean that is the most inland of all known islands (as a result of which tourism to the island is expensive). The island is of volcanic origin and is located at the intersection of several lithospheric plates (underneath it there is a fault boundary of giant tectonic plates that seem to divide the ocean floor; the Nazca and Pacifica oceanic plates and the axial zones of underwater ocean ridges converge on the island). Well, the most famous attraction is the stone statues:
The island has the shape of a right triangle, the hypotenuse of which is the southeastern shore. The sides of this “triangle” have lengths of 16, 18 and 24 km. Inactive volcanoes rise in the corners of the island:
- Rano Kao (324 m)
- Pua Katiki (377 m)
- Terevaka (539 m - the highest point of the island)
Let's start our exploration of Easter Island with stone statues. All stone statues are monolithic, meaning they are carved from a single piece of stone rather than glued or fastened together. Ancient craftsmen carved “moai” - stone statues on the slopes of the Rano Roraku volcano, located in the eastern part of the island, from soft volcanic tuff. Then the finished statues were lowered down the slope and placed along the perimeter of the island, over a distance of more than 10 km. The height of most idols ranges from five to seven meters, while later sculptures reached 10 and 12 meters.
The statues had caps made of red pumice on their heads, and their eyes were painted:
The tuff, or, as it is also called, pumice, from which they are made, has a sponge-like structure and easily crumbles even with a slight impact on it. so the average weight of a “moai” does not exceed 5 tons.
Stone statues were installed on stone “ahu” - pedestal platforms that reached 150 meters in length and 3 meters in height, and consisted of pieces weighing up to 10 tons from the same pumice.
According to another version, the stone statues of Easter Island are estimated to be much heavier: they say that their weight sometimes reaches more than 20 tons, and their height is more than 6 meters. An unfinished sculpture was found, about 20 meters tall and weighing 270 tons.
There are a total of 997,397 stone moai statues on Easter Island. All moai, except for seven statues, “look” into the interior of the island. These seven statues are also different in that they are located inside the island, and not on the coast. A detailed map of the location of stone statues, as well as other attractions, can be seen in this picture (click to enlarge):
It is also said that there are two types of statues on the island:
- The first species, without “caps” (45% of the total) are 10-meter giants weighing 80 tons. All of them stand on the slopes of the Ranu Raraku crater chest-deep in sedimentary rocks - this is for the reason that they are much older than the other statues, those with “hats”. The fact that these statues are much older than the second type of moai is also indicated by the fact that traces of erosion on them appeared much more clearly than on the “dwarf” 4-meter statues. In addition, the 10-meter-high giant moai do not have “hat” and their appearance is slightly different from the second type. For example, their faces are narrower.
- The second type are small 3-4 meter statues (32 percent of the total), which were placed on pedestals (ahu). All ahus stand near the seashore. These moai have oddly shaped “caps”. This type of moai is very well preserved. Their faces are more oval than the narrow-faced statues of the first type.
The erection of statues on Easter Island is a stumbling block among “rationalists” and “otherworlders.” The first claim that all the statues could have been installed on the island by ordinary people using ordinary earthly means. Whereas the “otherworlders” cite anything from magic-mana to aliens as the forces behind installing statues.
The Norwegian traveler Thor Heyerdahl in his book “Aku-Aku” gives a description of one of these methods, which was tested in action by local residents. According to the book, information about this method was obtained from one of the few remaining direct descendants of the Moai builders. Thus, one of the Moai, overturned from the pedestal, was put back by using logs slipped under the statue as levers, by swinging which it was possible to achieve small movements of the statue along the vertical axis. The movements were recorded by placing stones of various sizes under the top of the statue and alternating them. The actual transportation of the statues could be carried out using wooden sleds.
Whoever is right, one thing is true: all the statues were made on this very island, in the quarries. And from there they were transported to the installation site. How did they find out? It’s very simple: many unfinished idols are in quarries. When looking at them, one gets the impression of a sudden cessation of work on the statues.
The photograph shows one of the unfinished stone statues:
And here are a few more unfinished statues on the slope of the volcano:
Let’s dwell on another yet unexplained phenomenon, which, of course, is inferior in scale, but is neck and neck in mystery.
This is the mysterious script of Easter Island. We can say that this is the most mysterious writing in the world. The latter is a fact all the more significant since until now writing has not been discovered on the Polynesian islands.
On Easter Island, writing was discovered on relatively well-preserved wooden tablets, called kohau rongo-rongo in the local dialect. The fact that the wooden planks have survived the darkness of centuries is explained by many scientists by the complete absence of insects on the island. Yet most of them were eventually destroyed. But the culprit for this turned out to be not tree bugs, accidentally introduced by a white man, but the religious fervor of a certain missionary. The story goes that the missionary Eugene Eyraud, who converted the inhabitants of the island to Christianity, forced these writings to be burned as pagan.
Nevertheless, a certain number of tablets have survived. Today, there are no more than two dozen kohau rongorongo in museums and private collections around the world. Many attempts have been made to decipher the contents of the ideogram tablets, but they all ended in failure. By the way, research in recent years has once again confirmed that on the Kohau Rongorongo tablets, each sign conveys only one word, and not the entire text is written on them, but only keywords, the rest were read by the Rapanui people from memory.
There is another interesting fact on the island. So, the first picture in the article shows the heads of statues with underground torsos. So, this image is not far from the truth. So, if you take a good dig around some of the statues, you can dig up some very interesting things:
That is, some of the statues are much larger than they seem. Moreover, it is unknown how they ended up underground: either by themselves, or they were initially buried.
Another mystery of the island is the purpose of the paved roads, the creation of which is lost in the mists of time. On the Island of Silence - another name for the island - there are three of them. And all three end up in the ocean. Based on this, some researchers conclude that the island was once much larger than it is now.
And finally, a trump card that destroys the arguments of the “rationalists”. So, next to Rapanui there is a tiny island of Motunui. This is several hundred meters of a steep cliff, dotted with numerous grottoes. Island on the map:
So, a stone platform has been preserved on it, on which statues were once installed, which were later thrown into the sea for some reason. And the question arises - how? How rationally can stone statues be delivered there? No way. Only with the help of unknown forces.
Which, by the way, begs the question: why? If rationalists justify the construction of stone statues in at least an acceptable way - for protection from flooding, or for protection from something else, or as objects of worship, etc., then supporters of the “otherworldly” hypothesis of installing statues simply have nothing to say. Think for yourself: why would people who have supernatural abilities and can carry multi-ton boulders over vast distances do this? After all, they did not worship them: real power and superstition do not go hand in hand...
So the “otherworldly” hypothesis also goes in vain. What remains? The facts remain:
- Easter Island, remote from populated lands for many hundreds of kilometers
- huge multi-ton statues (some are more than half buried in the ground)
- undeciphered script
- roads of unknown purpose
- lack of clear theories of how it was all done.
And it turns out that Easter Island is a mystery that has not yet been solved.
And it won’t be possible if the world ends tomorrow :)
Based on materials from http://agniart.ru/rus/showfile.fcgi?fsmode=articles&filename=16-3/16-3.html and http://www.ufo.obninsk.ru/pashi.htm
