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New Study Suggests Walking Moai Statues on Rapa Nui

10/19/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A study on the Indigenous people of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) suggests they could have moved moai statues by walking them with ropes and a small team.
Researchers say a low center of mass and forward lean would enable stepping of about 35 inches.
The study estimates 15 to 60 people could start movement and 5 to 25 could maintain it, but critics say the evidence does not prove it.

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Story summary

A study on the Indigenous people of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) suggests they could have moved moai statues by walking them with ropes and a small team.
Researchers say a low center of mass and forward lean would enable stepping of about 35 inches.
The study estimates 15 to 60 people could start movement and 5 to 25 could maintain it, but critics say the evidence does not prove it.