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Easter Island, Chile 2003

One of the Fallen Moai, Ahu Hanga Tetenga

2003-12-02

When the revolution occurred, whatever the real cause or motivation, one constant was that all the Moai on the island were pushed over, and all the eyes were destroyed, reused, whatever.  I liked the framing I was able to do with this shot, with the body above on the rocks, with the head and topknot (the red stone) down below where they came to rest.  The head must have broken off when toppled, and rolled down from the body to rest as you see.

The topknots were a recent addition, and only a fraction of the Moai have them.  The Rapa Nui people were Polynesian, and the speculation is that they died their hair red, and put it up on their heads in a top knot, as a fashion statement, or perhaps a sign of station or wealth.  Then the builders of the Moai used the red volcanic rock as a stylized representation of the fashion of the time.