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During the 15th century,the ancestor cult with moai- statues lost importance.Moais were toppled,as here in Ahu Tahiri;the red tuff topknots of the statues lie in the foreground.Some of the topknots have ornaments (or writing) carved on the underside that fits on the head.
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During the 15th century,the ancestor cult with moai- statues lost importance....

Ahu Tongariki,a ceremonial platform with 15 moai- statues.With one exception,all moais face inland; the statues represent dead ancestors or clan leaders whose blessings or spiritual aid must be directed towards the living on the island.
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Ahu Tongariki,a ceremonial platform with 15 moai- statues.With one excepti...

Ahu Tongariki,a ceremonial platform with 15 moai- statues.With one exception,all moais face inland; the statues represent dead ancestors or clan leaders whose blessings or spiritual aid must be directed towards the living on the island.
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Ahu Tongariki,a ceremonial platform with 15 moai- statues.With one excepti...

Easter Island,called Rapa Nui by its Polynesian in- habitants, is a volcanic island 3,790 kms west of the Chilean coast.A view of the island with three extinct volcanoes.
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Easter Island,called Rapa Nui by its Polynesian in- habitants, is a volcanic...

Ahu Tongariki has 15 moai statues.The tallest measures 8,90 m and weighs 88 tons.In the course of several centuries,older statues were toppled,broken up and used as filling material for larger platforms with larger statues.
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Ahu Tongariki has 15 moai statues.The tallest measures 8,90 m and weighs 88 ton...

Ahu Tongariki has 15 moai statues.The tallest measures 8,90 m and weighs 88 tons.In the course of several centuries,older statues were toppled,broken up and used as filling material for larger platforms with larger statues.
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Ahu Tongariki has 15 moai statues.The tallest measures 8,90 m and weighs 88 ton...

Ahu Tongariki with its 15 moai seen from afar against the backdrop of Rano Raraku volcano, the quarry for all of Easter Island's statues. A single moai stands on the slope above the 15 statues.
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Ahu Tongariki with its 15 moai seen from afar against the backdrop of Rano Rar...

A single moai-statue stands on the slope above the group of Ahu Tongariki with its 15 giant moai statues.
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A single moai-statue stands on the slope above the group of Ahu Tongariki w...

A single moai-statue stands on the slope above the group of Ahu Tongariki with its 15 giant moai statues.
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A single moai-statue stands on the slope above the group of Ahu Tongariki w...

Ahu Akivi, a ceremonial platform with seven moai- statues,dated around 1460.Like almost all moais, they look inland,away from the sea.Local legend has it that these moais were put up in honour of the seven courageaous navigators who first landed on the island.
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Ahu Akivi, a ceremonial platform with seven moai- statues,dated around 146...

Ahu Akivi, a ceremonial platform with seven moai- statues,dated around 1460.Like almost all moais, they look inland,away from the sea.Local legend has it that these moais were put up in honour of the seven courageaous navigators who first landed on the island.
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Ahu Akivi, a ceremonial platform with seven moai- statues,dated around 146...

Ahu Tahai has three ceremonial platforms with five moi and two single moai, among them Ko te Riku, the only "seeing" statue because its eyes,of white coral, have been restored.A ramp between the ahus descends to the Pacific.
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Ahu Tahai has three ceremonial platforms with five moi and two single moai,...