The Mystery of the Moai Solved: Rapa Nui Statues 'Walked' Upright

For decades, the enigma surrounding the relocation of the colossal Moai statues on Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island—one of the most remote places on Earth—has captivated and confounded archaeologists. These massive monoliths, some reaching nearly 10 meters in height and weighing up to 70 tons, were carved by the island's ancient inhabitants without the aid of metal tools or wheeled transport. However, a recent study published in the *Journal of Archaeological Science* in 2025 has offered the most compelling evidence yet: the statues were likely moved upright, appearing to "walk," a feat achieved through sophisticated engineering design and principles of physics akin to pendulum dynamics.

A research team led by anthropologist Carl Lipo of Binghamton University and his colleague Terry Hunt from the University of Arizona utilized digital simulations, field observations, and physical trials to substantiate the long-held theory of the "walking" Moai. The researchers meticulously analyzed 962 known statues, including 62 situated along the ancient transport routes originating from the Rano Raraku quarry. These so-called "road Moai" shared distinct characteristics: a broad, D-shaped base and a slight forward tilt. This specific construction strategically shifted the center of gravity, enabling the figures to rock steadily from side to side, simulating a walking motion.

To rigorously test this model, the scientists commissioned a full-scale replica Moai, carefully replicating the proportions of the originals, weighing 4.35 tons. Employing three long ropes and a crew of 18 people, they successfully maneuvered the copy a distance of 100 meters in a mere 40 minutes. The experiment demonstrated conclusively that the statue could indeed advance while remaining vertical, provided groups of people alternately pulled the ropes from either side, creating a controlled sway.

This method proved to be not only feasible but also highly efficient. It required significantly fewer people and resources than traditional theories suggested, which often involved dragging the statues over logs or sledges. Furthermore, the virtual modeling conducted as part of the new investigation allowed for the calculation of the precise number of participants needed for statues of varying dimensions.

The simulations indicated that approximately 15 individuals were sufficient to initiate the movement, and even smaller groups could sustain the pace. The average speed of a "walking" Moai was calculated to be around 300 meters per hour, with each step measuring roughly 90 cm. Counterintuitively, larger statues were not necessarily slower; their increased mass and inertia sometimes allowed them to take longer strides.

The findings gained further credibility when correlated with existing archaeological evidence. Many unfinished or fallen Moai are found within 2 km of the quarry, suggesting these were abandoned following failed transportation attempts, rather than due to ritualistic reasons or resource scarcity, as previously theorized. The ancient roads used for moving the statues feature a characteristic concave shape and an average width of about 4.5 meters. This design was crucial for stabilizing the figures during transit. The researchers propose that the roads and the statues constituted a single, integrated engineering system, where the form of the statues and the terrain were mutually adapted for safe, "walking" transport.

These conclusions resolve a long-standing archaeological puzzle and fundamentally reshape our understanding of the technological prowess of the ancient Rapa Nui society. Rather than supporting hypotheses of catastrophic deforestation and destructive construction, the research highlights an example of rational, balanced engineering rooted in a deep comprehension of equilibrium and physics. Crucially, the new data aligns perfectly with the oral traditions of the islanders, who have maintained for centuries that the Moai simply "walked" to their final destinations. The work by Carl Lipo and his colleagues confirms that the genius of the ancient masters of Rapa Nui lay not in brute force, but in their ability to harness natural laws in harmony with their environment.