@article{cf2a8bd39c444d9a9e01963381df9792,
title = "The 'walking' megalithic statues (moai) of Easter Island",
abstract = "Explaining how the monumental statues (moai) of Easter Island were transported has remained open to debate and speculation, including their resource expenditures and role in deforestation. Archaeological evidence including analysis of moai variability, particularly those abandoned along ancient roads, indicates transport was achieved in a vertical position. To test this proposition we constructed a precise three-dimensional 4.35 metric ton replica of an actual statue and demonstrate how positioning the center of mass allowed it to fall forward and rock from side to side causing it to 'walk.' Our experiments reveal how the statue form was engineered for efficient transport by a small number of individuals.",
keywords = "Easter Island, Eastern Polynesia, Megaliths, Moai, Pacific prehistory, Rapa Nui",
author = "Lipo, {Carl P.} and Hunt, {Terry L.} and Haoa, {Sergio Rapu}",
note = "Funding Information: Funding for this project was provided by a grant from the National Geographic Expeditions Council . We thank Pacific Islanders in Communications and Nippon Television for their additional support. We thank the National Park staff on Rapa Nui for assistance in the field. We thank Hannah Bloch and Fernando Baptista at National Geographic Magazine for their excellent work on the July 2012 cover story and artwork. We also thank Maria Awes, Andy Awes, the staff at Committee Films, Max Beach, John Bredar, Robert DiNapoli, Brian Fagan, John Francis, Herman Ika, Marc Kelly, Jacce Mikulanec,John Morgan (Kualoa Ranch), Alex Morrison, John O'Connor, Ted Ralston, Sergio Rapu, Jr., Timothy Rieth, Damion Sailors, Deborah Schechter, Sheela Sharma, Francisco Torres Hochstetter, Enrique Tucki and Janet Wilmshurst for their encouragement and generous support of our research. Finally, we thank the many energetic, patient, and enthusiastic volunteers who helped us {\textquoteleft}walk{\textquoteright} a moai for the first time in centuries. ",
year = "2013",
month = jun,
doi = "10.1016/j.jas.2012.09.029",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "40",
pages = "2859--2866",
journal = "Journal of Archaeological Science",
issn = "0305-4403",
publisher = "Academic Press Inc.",
number = "6",
}