Easter Island Moai Statues: WHAT is Carved on the BACK? | Ancient Architects

We’ve all seen the incredible Moai statues, created to honour the ancestors of Easter Island, known locally as Rapa Nui, between 1000 and 1650 AD.

There are around 900 statues on the island, some weighing up to 86 tons and some 10 metres high. Most are carved from volcanic tuff, which is basically compressed volcanic ash and compared to volcanic rock like basalt, it is easier to carve with stone tools.

Some moai statues though, a minority, are made of basalt, such as the example on display in the British museum. Only 13 moai are made of this harder rock type and they tend to be the earliest examples. The one in the British Museum dates to between 1000 and 1200 AD.

Something not everybody knows though, is that the backs of some of the statues are also intricately carved. Interestingly, these carvings are not considered to be original features. Sometimes the motifs are carved in low relief, sometimes incised, but what are these strange images actually showing? Watch the video to find out.

All images are taken from Google Images and the below sources for educational purposes only. Please subscribe to Ancient Architects, Like the video and please leave a comment below.

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#AncientArchitects #EasterIsland #Moai

[kenhughes]

I think you would find the history of Hawaii very interesting as well. A lot of the pre-missionary history is not commonly known. For instance there was once a step pyramid near the Kapoho area of the Big Island of Hawaii. Some of the stones from it were used in the construction of Iolani Palace in Honolulu. Today the site just looks like a typical cinder cone. Hawaii has an incredibly diverse and compelling history.

[gaborzaiyd]

Its surprising how few people can see that the design on the back of the Moai represents Easter Island itself. In this context look at the circle on the loin cloth and match it to the crater. Then matches the eyes of the two birds to the larger volcanoes on the other end of the island ie.. Terevaka and Puakatite. Then the egg becomes the volcano named Rano. The island is representative of the back of a giant. What is interesting is the significance of the smaller volcano Rano and the birth place of all Moai on the island. In essence the design is an ancestral creation story.

[edkaminski]

I have never heard anybody mention the backs of the statues. Nice work!

[HistoryWithKayleigh]

The Moai statue at the British Museum looked so lonely without his friends 🗿
I feel like he should be returned to where he belongs.
Of course it was amazing to see it and to be able to look at the intricate details 🙂

Thank you for this amazing video Matt!

[philharmonicwittgenstein]

Is it just me, or does anyone else notice the similarity of the bird engravings with those on pillar 43 - the Vulture stone - at Gobekli Tepe? Not suggesting any link, just remarkable nonetheless.

[phoneguy]

hey matthew, is it just me or does the mirrored design on the back of the british moai resemble huge similarties to that at göbekli tepe and on early egyptian slate palettes? c'mon, peoples, I can't be the only one thinking that.

[rachel_v_k]

Thank you! This is fascinating! The bird carvings with the egg remind me of the carvings on the pillars at Gobekli Tepe. It appears to be done in the same style.

[douglashartman]

You should give the YouTube channel Atlantis Confirmed the credit they deserve for putting this all together some months ago don't you think?

[kawasakikev]

as with so many old things, the earliest examples are the best and finest examples . i love this channel it makes everyday a schoolday, always something new i didn't know about before . thanks Matt

[JMMRanMA]

Another fascinating video. I read about Thor Heyerdahl's expedition to the island years ago, and what he learned about the culture. I have a question, though. Easter Is. is sometimes referred to as the furthest point of the Polynesian expansions. They were into tattooing and scarification. I wonder if anyone has looked at the designs on the Moai and compared them to the designs used by various polynesian groups.
If they are identical, it MIGHT suggest answers to questions about their origins.
Thanks for another interesting video, Matt. Keep up the good work.

[zenflowlife]

Before this kicks off .. while watching the starting commercial..let me say... thank you for this video!!! I was just looking at a photo of the statues the other day and was curious about the carvings on the back. This was right on time in my feed.

[mikesully]

Has anyone else noticed how similar the bird creatures with the ball look like the ones carved at Gobekli Tepe??

[jimtimmy]

Very similar to the piller at
Göbeklitepe with the bird holding a
Round object....that was my first thought.
Great video

[smuntdogmillionaire]

You literally cover everything Matt… Just when I’m hooked on one civilisation. You give me another!!! Your the man !

[brianmsahin]

Great video as always. During my backpacking trip around the world I was lucky enough to see many places including Nazca lines, Machu Picchu, and a week on Easter Island. It was amazing and those video is not just informative but brings back great memories.. Thank you!!

[ptrcktrnr]

Well explained. Heard tons about Easter island, but to have it so concise was a treat. Thank you.

[JonnoPlays]

The red stone on top is supposed to be red hair worn in a top knot by important individuals. Makes one wonder how they lifted it up there?

[danstory]

It's an ancient message that reads: "We've been trying to reach you about your car's extended warranty..."

[barrywalser]

Thanks for producing this video. I have heard of the carvings and bird cult but you put everything in clear and concise context. I appreciate it!

[anediareese]

Wow Thank-you so much!! This is the first time I've ever heard that they had carvings on the back!! Great video!!