The Mo'ai statues are the last vestiges left by the Rapa Nui civilization on Easter Island. For a long time, their presence on the isolated island was considered a great mystery, but today we recognize their true nature: they are the result of incredible creativity and engineering by the native people. Over 900 statues were produced and transported. The largest of them, the Paro, stands 10 meters tall and weighs 82 tons.
Often referred to as "big heads," the Mo'ai are full-body figures. The confusion arises due to the disproportionately large heads, and because the most famous photos are of the statues on the Rano Raraku hill. Over time, their bodies became partially buried up to their shoulders. The Mo'ai were symbols of authority and power, both political and spiritual. They represented the Polynesian ancestors and their protectors.
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