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The Easter Island statues, or moai, are all different in height, shape and decoration. It is assumed that the statues represent males, although some have female symbols carved on them, but the consensus is that they represent important ancestor figures.
Originally the statues had "eyes" of coral and red stone, but these have in most cases been lost; they also had red stone "hats" or hairstyles. All the erect statues look inwards, not out to sea, and slightly upwards. The natives who designed, carved, moved and erected the statues have become practically extinct and replaced by immigrants from other islands, so it is difficult to understand their reasons for doing the work.
Some clues have been found in the way the statues are posed: they have carved arms and hands resting on their stomachs, which in Polynesian thought meant protecting tribal traditions and ritual knowledge - these were thought to be stored in the stomach. It is likely that groups of statues were erected by different social groups, clans who divided the island up between them. There was therefore rivalry and competition, which led to each group attempting to make and move larger and larger statues to "outdo" their rivals.
Eventually all the palm trees and the plants used for making ropes were gone and the statues could no longer be moved, so many had to be left in the quarries, unfinished.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
The statues on Easter Island, known as Moai, were built to honor deceased ancestors and chiefs of the Rapa Nui people. They served as a representation of spiritual connection with their ancestors and were believed to bestow protection and fertility upon the community.
Anonymous
beacuse they did a do and thdkb
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Why did they build the statues on Easter Island?
The statues, or moai, on Easter Island were built by the Rapa Nui people to honor their ancestors, chiefs, or important figures. The moai were believed to hold spiritual significance and represented the connection between the people and their gods. By constructing the statues, the Rapa Nui aimed to showcase their power and authority within the community.
Why did the Easter Island resedents build statues?
The Easter Island residents built statues, known as moai, to honor their ancestors and signify their social status. They believed that the statues held spiritual power and used them in various ceremonies and rituals. The construction of these statues also served as a way to demonstrate a tribe's wealth and power.
Why did they build the moai?
The moai were built by the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island for religious and ceremonial purposes, to honor their ancestors and chiefs. These statues were also believed to hold ancestral spirits and protect the people of the island.
How old are the moai statues?
The Moai could be thousands of years older than commonly thought as some of them are buried in 20 feet of sediment which would take thousands of years to build up. (As stated by Dr Robert Schoch on the History channel show Ancient Aliens)
Why did they build the moai statues?
The exact purpose of building the moai statues on Easter Island is still uncertain. However, it is believed that they were created to represent deceased ancestors and as a way to honor and communicate with them. Some theories suggest that the statues also had a role in demonstrating social status and power within the community.
How do you call people who build statues?
People who build statues are usually sculptors
What is the importance of marble to the people of Greece?
they used it to build structures and statues
What happen to the people of Easter Island?
They cut down all of the tree's so they could build Moai but they ran out of food so they had to eat each other instead then the last person died of hunger because there was nothing else to eat!
What tools did the ancient Egyptian crafts people use?
they used clay to build their statues
Why did people build statues of James watt?
For the improvement of the steam engine and for his own engine design.
What else do they build in Olympia?
statues
Should we build or not build barrier islands?
no people should not build on barrier islands because it causes soil erosion... and soil erosion is bad :) hahaha be an erosion freee world
What is state statutes?
state statues are like Lady Liberty in New York and Enlgland. I guess you could say they represent the history of the state so people build statues.
Why did the egyptians build statues for their gods?
so they could pray to the statues for whatever they desire
How did Hercules influence history?
hercules influenced history by having the ancient greeks build statues of him and that making people fight over it
Why did Greeks love to build a life-size statue?
Life-size statues gave form and substance to gods, and kept the memory of heroes and outstanding people alive in an era where was no widely-held idea of an afterlife. The people in the statues lived on in the minds of the viewers.
Why did they build the moai statues?
The exact purpose of building the moai statues on Easter Island is still uncertain. However, it is believed that they were created to represent deceased ancestors and as a way to honor and communicate with them. Some theories suggest that the statues also had a role in demonstrating social status and power within the community.
