The Moai of Rapa Nui were carved mostly between 1250 and 1500CE. Nearly 1,000 of these impressive statues, carved predominantly from solidified volcanic ash found in the Rano Raraku quarry, stand across the island. Averaging 13 feet tall and weighing around 14 tons, some Moai like Paro reached 33 feet and 82 tons. The ancient Rapa Nui people painstakingly crafted these figures using stone tools, and while the exact methods remain a subject of debate among experts, oral traditions suggest the statues "walked" to their destinations. These Moai are believed to embody deified ancestors, serving as protectors for their communities. They were erected on sacred stone ceremonial platforms called 'ahu,' often facing inland to symbolize their watch over the villages.


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