the plantains at the entrance of the cave
other ruins nearby
most broke their neck when they were toppled but everything is restored
since 1961 the restored moais again stand proudly on their ahu
Ahu Akivi is different from the other platforms as it is located landinwards.
And the seven moai on the platform look out
over sea instead over land.
Furthermore the moai all have about the same size and age. Some speculate they represent the 7
kings that ruled between the mid 15th to end 16th century.
Others see a link to the legend of the seven explorers that were sent by
the first king
Hotu Matu’a to find him a new land.
But maybe the moai merchants at the Rano Ranaku quarry offered a
very good quantum deal, we just do not know.
Interestingly this platform is alligned with the spring and fall
equinoxes which surely would have helped the farmers to plan for the growing seasons.
The Akivi site was excavated and restored
in 1961 using traditional tools. During the excavation two cremation pits were found, one used, one still empty.
Nearby
Akivi is the
Ana Te Pahu cave, a long lava tunnel that was used to house the poor, but also served as shelter .
At the entrance
you find many plantain trees.
the hilly terrain around Ahu Akivi
it is a rural area but there are a few simple houses
you can still see some of the details like the hands
irrigation is not a strong point of the Ana Te Pahu cave