The island was supposedly first inhabited by Polynesian people who gave it the name Rapa Nui. The native people are best know for the MOAL, collossial heads carved out of volcanic rock and placed along the coastline.
The Dutch first encountered the island on Easter Sunday, thus giving it that name, in 1722. The island has remained relatively isolated since that time. The culture provides people of today with a glimpse into human history, as does the lifestyle and traditions of the Australian Aborigines.
Recent archaeological discoveries have found BODIES that accompany the heads. Mail Online published an article in May of 2012 that explains the statues were constructed with a purpose. There is evidence the construction was done on location and the statues were MEANT to stand upright. The dirt that has covered the bodies for years looks to be there due to natural erosion and weathering, rather than put there to support the statues.
The Easter Island Statue Project chronicles the archaeological discovery. The archaeologists have found petroglyph writings on the statues. Only some of the statues have writings on them. Could this denote rank? Could this have been for ritual purposes?
The question remains...WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE WHO CREATED SUCH IMMENSE STATUES? WHY WERE THEY CONSTRUCTED?
Archaeologists and art historians keep seeking clues to find an answer, Until then, it is only conjecture.
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