ARCHAEOLOGISTS HAVE FOUND SOMETHING STRANGE ON THE EASTER ISLAND, A PLACE ALREADY BRIMMING WITH MYSTERIES

Playing The Theory By Ear

The finds on Easter Island only got more interesting over the ages. The skulls of the people who lived there were discovered and they revealed some intriguing things. The people on the island seemed to have had longer and narrower faces than an average human being, they had long ears too.

Who Will Be The Birdman?

These illustrations seen in the picture were captured in the “Cannibal Cave,” and display what is popularly known as the “Birdman” or Tangata Manu. This was apparently the winner of an annual competition held on the island. What was the competition for? Residents competed for one another to swim to another island and collect the first egg of the season. The first one to return was the winner, Birdman, and he became the leader of the community for the next year.

Stands Out Like A Sore Thumb

Tukuturi easily is the most unique statue on Easter Island. It is believed to be the physical manifestation of an old singer. The figure is in the kneeling position and sports a beard. It is way smaller as compared to other Moai statues. It is made of a different material too. Red Puna Pua stone had been used to build this statue.

Easter Tools

Tools that the people of Rapa Nui used were called Mata. These tools were made out of the volcanic glass and carved in different shapes and sizes. As expected, most of these tools were sharp as they were used to cut fiber, wood or used as weapons. These tools are one of the most basic and popular features found in the Rapa Nui exhibitions and museums around the globe.

Grand Theft Moai

Not everyone is as respectful of the historical artifacts as the archeologists. A Finnish tourist somehow managed to cut off an ear of one of the Moai and ran away. Someone on the island saw this man, Marko Kulju and immediately reported him to the police. Kulju was consequently arrested and fined with $17,000 USD. The man could have been charged with 7 years in prison too. Post this incident the security at the national park was made stricter.

A Masterpiece

Hoa Hakananai’a considered a masterpiece is, not even on the island anymore. It was 1868 when a British crew on the ship HMS Topaze took the statue with them from the Easter Island.  After much ado, in 1969, the statue reached England and has been on display at the  London’s British Museum ever since. It is smaller than average Moai yet regarded as a masterpiece.