Moai | Rapa Nui People, 1250-1500

Fortunately oblivious to the chaotic territorial disputes of Eurasia, the Rapa Nui People provide a refreshing break to an otherwise tumultuous story. It is thought that the Polynesians first inhabited the island of Rapa Nui somewhere between 300 and 1200 AD. This tiny island, which today is known as Easter Island, measures just under 25 km / 15 miles long by roughly 12 km / 7.5 miles wide and is home to several volcanoes, a quarry and a huge collection of monolithic figures, hand-carved by the Polynesians.

Left: Stephanie Morcinek on Unsplash & Right: Makri27 from Pixabay

Known as Moai, each monolith was carved from the quarry on the northeast side of the island and transported to various locations on the perimeter of Rapa Nui. There are almost 1,000 of these enormous sculptures, which are thought to have been built between the 13th and 15th centuries. The heaviest of the monuments weigh up to 85 tons and are either positioned individually or as groups lined up on stone platforms known as ahu.

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This post is part of an expanded series taken from 37 Wonders of the World in Chronological Order. You can click the link to read more or navigate between individual photo posts beneath the gallery.

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37 Wonders of the World in Chronological Order

For 5,000 years, the world's civilizations have pushed the boundries of creativity to levels beyond previous conpmrehension. In this guide we explore 37 of the greatest Wonders of the World