The Secret of the Movement of the Mysterious Statues from Easter Island Revealed 0 79

Scientists have uncovered one of archaeology's most enigmatic mysteries: how the inhabitants of Easter Island were able to move stone statues weighing up to 80 tons. A study published by an international group of anthropologists showed that the moai were not dragged across the ground, but rather they literally 'walked' to their installation sites, swaying from side to side. This was reported by the Daily Mail.

Using 3D modeling and experiments with a four-ton replica of a statue, researchers confirmed that the ancient residents of Rapa Nui tied ropes to the statues and rocked them in a zigzag motion. This technique allowed a small group of people to move the enormous moai several dozen meters with relative ease. "As soon as the statue starts to sway, it moves on its own," explained Professor Carl Lipo from Binghamton University. "You just need to maintain the rhythm."

The shape and tilt of the statues, it turned out, were specifically designed for this method of movement: the wide D-shaped base and the center of gravity shifted forward made the motion stable and natural. Moreover, the island has preserved special 'moai roads' about 4.5 meters wide with a concave relief — ideal for the statues to 'walk'.

The discovery not only confirmed the authenticity of ancient legends claiming that the stone giants 'walked themselves', but also demonstrated the high level of engineering thought of the Rapa Nui people.