The Mysteries of Easter Island

The Mysteries of Easter Island

Island of Mystery Far in the South Pacific lies a lonely place called Easter Island. The island is home to about six thousand people and hundreds of giant stone statues called moai. It is also home to many mysteries.

Who Made the Moai? Scientists think that the first people came to Easter Island between eight hundred and twelve hundred years ago. The island is very hard to get to. Other lands with people are more than a thousand miles away across the ocean. So, scientists think that the island people probably made the moai.

Why Were the Moai Made? Scientists are not sure why the moai were made. Many think that the moai are symbols of power and religion. Others think that the moai were made to remind people of their ancestors. Of the 887 moai on the island, only 7 face the ocean. A legend says that those statues were of seven people who visited the island before it was settled.

Walking Statues? Scientists have found a pit on the island where the moai were cut from a stone wall. Scientists have also discovered the stone tools used to make the moai. However, they're still not sure how the people moved the moai to the edge of the island.

Many moai are the size of two tall men. They are as heavy as a school bus. They are too heavy to drag around. The people of the island had no carts.