and another one
the quality of the masonry is unique for Polynesian constructions
moving on to Ahu Tahira with the airport fuel tanks in the background
the moais were deliberately toppled face down so they could no longer radiate their mana
an estranged pukau
Inca style masonry at Rapa Nui?
Vinapu is located near the eastern end of the Mataveri airport runway.
The site features 2 ceremonial platforms.
Ahu
Vinapu is the oldest with 5 yellowish moai, toppled and resting facedown on a ruined platform with their now useless
red headdress aka pukao lying around.
In front of the ahu is a heavily weathered large red column with a female touch. It once
had two heads and may have been used for
sky burials.
Ahu Tahira once had 6 moais but most of the trunks have since been
used as bulk building material and the decapitated heads lay scattered around.
What makes this ahu so special is
the tight fitting stones which have an eerie resemblance to the walls used at the Inca fort
Sacsayhuaman in Peru.
There are several indications for contact between Polynesians and South America.
One story has it that
Inca Tupac Yupanqui led
an expedition to unknown islands in the Pacific and had a hand in the construction of Ahu Tahira.
But maybe the Vinapu tribe was
just very wealthy and could affort to bring in an Inca mason team. We will never know.
a sign at the entrance explains what to see at the site
our guide explains Ahu Vinapu. Just behind him is the red column for the sky burials
a weathered moai head
he seems to enjoy himself but the lack of eye sockets means he never stood on the ahu
great damage was done in 1886 by the crew of the USS Mohican that blew up the foundation in search for loot