Uncovering the mystery of the origin of the Moai statues on Easter Island

Archaeologists have confirmed that each Moai statue was created by a small clan, with its own unique style, reflecting the diverse artistry of the Rapa Nui people.

On Easter Island in the South Pacific Ocean, belonging to Chile, experts have found hundreds of giant Moai statues. These stone statues are scattered across the island and each statue weighs from 12 to 80 tons. Photo: Getty Images.

According to researchers, the giant Moai statues were created more than 900 years ago. To build and transport the statues, it required the strength of hundreds of people. Photo: Mail Online.

For years, experts have been trying to decipher who created the giant Moai statues on Easter Island. Photo: Lipo et al., 2025, PLOS One.

Recently, experts have presented archaeological evidence that the Moai statues were not created by a single powerful chief. Photo: Lipo et al., 2025, PLOS One.

Instead, each Moai statue on Easter Island was created by a small clan or a single family. It is estimated that only 4-6 people created a Moai statue. Photo: Lipo et al., 2025, PLOS One.

Using new 3D models of the quarry used to create the main Moai statues on Easter Island, archaeologists have identified 30 “workshops” where the giant statues were created. Photo: Carl Lipo.

Researchers discovered that each clan seemed to have its own artistic style, specialized techniques and quarry sites to create the Moai statues. Photo: News.

This is believed to be the reason why each Moai statue on Easter Island has different characteristics such as tall, short, fat, thin... but all are carved delicately. Photo: News.

The creation of the Moai statues on Easter Island began around the 13th century by the Rapa Nui community. Photo: Universal Images Group via Getty Images.

By the time the first Western explorers arrived on Easter Island in the 1700s, nearly 1,000 Moai statues had been discovered scattered across the island, with many more still unfinished inside the Rano Raraku quarry. Photo: Chakarin Wattanamongkol via Getty Images.

Readers are invited to watch the video: Behind the success of scientists . Source: VTV24.

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