The Giant Stone Statues of Rapa Nui

Face to face with one of the world’s most remote islands

Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is believed to have first been settled by Polynesian voyagers in the 1200s.  

The island is located 2,100 miles from the Chilean mainland and has steep cliffs that drop down into the ocean. 

The settlers carved giant stone statues called moai to represent important ancestors and chiefs. These statues were then transported to different places around the island.

The island is home to over 900 of these, most of which stand along the coast.

Some can be seen from the road

Rapa Nui is also home to some rock art sites.

A lot of the island is now protected as a National Park and it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

Thousands of tourists come to the island every year to experience the unique way of life and visit the incredible archaeology. 

Read more on Google Arts & Culture

artsandculture.google.com