Archaeological Sites of Rapa Nui

Rapa Nui contains over 900 moai statues and hundreds of ceremonial platforms known as ahu. This collection includes Ahu Tongariki, the island’s largest ceremonial site with fifteen restored statues, and Ahu Akivi, the only platform where moai face the ocean. Visitors can explore the sea cave of Ana Kai Taŋata, featuring ancient birdman paintings, and the white sands of Anakena, home to the well-preserved Ahu Ŋau Ŋau. These sites demonstrate the sophisticated stone masonry and spiritual traditions of the Rapa Nui civilization.

Ahu Tongariki

Ahu Tongariki is the largest ahu on Easter Island. Its moais were toppled during the island's civil wars, and in the twentieth century the…

Ahu Tahai

The Tahai Ceremonial Complex is an archaeological site on Rapa Nui in Chilean Polynesia.

Ahu Vinapu

Ahu Vinapu is an archaeological site on Rapa Nui in Eastern Polynesia.

Ana Kai Taŋata

A large sea cave known for its ancient rock paintings depicting the Manutara (sooty tern). These red, white, and black pigments are linked to the island's Tangata Manu (Birdman) cult and ceremonial competitions held at nearby Orongo.

Ahu Ŋau Ŋau

Located at Anakena beach, this restored ceremonial platform features seven moai, four of which retain their red scoria pukao (topknots). The statues were exceptionally well-preserved by sand dunes until their restoration in the 1970s.

Easter Island

Easter Island is an island and special territory of Chile in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, at the southeasternmost point of the…

Ahu Akivi

Ahu Akivi is a particular sacred place on the Chilean island of Rapa Nui, looking out towards the Pacific Ocean.

Ahu Akahanga

An unrestored archaeological site traditionally considered the burial place of King Hotu Matu’a. The area contains a large platform with toppled moai, several boat-house ruins (hare paenga), and ancient earth ovens.