THE WALKING STATUES OF EASTER ISLAND

I have always been intrigued by the culture of the remote Easter Island. Especially by the huge, magnificent statues associated with the island.

Legend has it that they walked to the sites where they now stand. A supernatural occurrence to be sure.

WHICH IS TRUE, to some extent.

Now, before they can walk they must stand.

I have seen them stand, going from prone to erect. But it was not a miracle. The statue went from lying on its back to standing up with the use of rocks (*). While lying on its back, using levers rocks were placed beneath the statue and the ground until the statue was lying on an inclined plane. Once it was raised to a significant height, ropes were used to finish the process.

*Paul Bahn and John Flenley, Easter Island  Easter Island, 1992, Thames and Hudson, pages 158, 159.