Easter Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a remote volcanic island and Chilean territory in the southeastern Pacific Ocean. Famous for its 887 monumental statues known as “moai,” this enigmatic destination offers an engaging wealth of learning opportunities for students. This article will detail how to teach students about the history and mystery surrounding the famous Easter Island statues.
Background:
Easter Island, also referred to as Rapa Nui by the natives, boasts a fascinating history and cultural significance. The island’s moai statues are massive stone figures that were carved by the Rapa Nui people between 1250-1500 A.D. The largest moai statue weighs over 82 tons (74 metric tonnes) and stands almost 10 meters tall (33 ft).
Teaching Strategy:
1. Introduce students to the geography and origin of Easter Island:
Begin by explaining where Easter Island is located, including its remote family in the Pacific Ocean. Provide a brief account of who the original inhabitants were and their Polynesian ancestry.
2. Discuss the cultural significance of the moai statues:
Elaborate on the religious and cultural importance of these figures for the Rapa Nui people. Discuss how they symbolize their ancestors’ authority and spiritual power.
3. Explore the techniques used to create moai statues:
Students should learn about the ancient methods used for carving, transporting, and erecting these awe-inspiring statues. Include discussions about basalt tikis, volcanic tuff, and the quarry at Rano Raraku.
4. Analyze theories on the transportation and erection of moai:
Foster a class discussion about various theories regarding how these massive stone figures were transported across the island without modern tools or techniques. Consider theories involving logs as rollers, simple sleds, or even walking moai using ropes like how modern-day engineers moved large concrete blocks.
5. Explore the environmental impact:
Discuss the impact of these massive projects on the island’s ecosystem and resources. Talk about deforestation, soil erosion, and possible connections between moai construction and population decline.
6. The mystery of the statues’ eyes:
Elucidate on one of Easter Island’s most intriguing mysteries – the placement of coral and obsidian “eyes” in the statues, only discovered during their restoration. Discuss how this finding has changed our understanding of moai’s purpose, transforming them into powerful ancestral figures who watched over the ancient Rapa Nui society.
7. Compare Easter Island with other ancient cultures:
Encourage students to compare the construction techniques, religious beliefs, and societal structure of Easter Island with those from other ancient civilizations like Egypt or Maya.
