Dave's Photo World

Back to the Easter Island Gallery 1 page

Easter Island, Chile 2003

A fallen Moai - Ahu Hanga Tetenga

2003-12-02

This is another of the toppled Moai at Ahu Hanga Tetenga.  This one was at least 5 metres in height.  Unlike many of the fallen Moai, this one is intact, and it's Pukao (topknot or hair) is only a few metres away.  

The Pukao were only found with about 65 of the Moai, and may have been a recent change in fashion.  The Kupao represented the Rapa Nui's hair, worn long in the Polynesian style and dyed red with a plant dye.  It was bundled up on top of the head and the round red Kupaos represented the hairstyle of the day.