the massive ceremonial platform is located behind the traveling moai
a plaque commemmorates the japanese support in rebuilding the site. Pity the glass is broken
the "traveler moai" has been on display in Japan
these statues are big!
Ahu Tongariki is THE signature platform of Rapa Nui. The platform measures a whopping 220 meters and supports 15 massive moais.
The largest stands 14 meters tall, including his red pukao.
All statues are different, some are severely weathered
or damaged, others appear just a bit overweight but after so many centuries and bad times they still radiate pure and
primeval power.
Over a timespan of 900 years several platforms were erected here with a total of more than 30 moais.
Some of them were used as construction material for the new platforms. Around 1760 there was one platform here with 15 moai still
standing.
All were toppled in the following century.
Ahu Tongariki sits in a low lying area and was hit
hard by the tsunami following the
1960 Valdivia earthquake. Despite their massive weight all moais and their pukaos
ended up 100 meters more landinwards, suffering substantial damage.
Restorations began in 1993 with financial and material help
from Japan and by 1996 the platform was restored to its original grandeur. As a reward one moai traveled to trade shows in Japan. He now
stands at the Tongariki site entrance.
Ahu Tongariki seen from the Rano Raraku quarry, the moais id not have to walk far
there is a gated entrance, not common at the other sites
the red pukaos barely survived the tsunami and are too fragile to be put back on the moai's heads
this is the only one with a pukao, he stands 14 meters tall
he is just a tiny bit overweight
a very imposing bunch indeed
part of the construction material comes from remains of 17 ancient moais
the platform has been fully restored based on early 20th century information
on almost all platforms the moais turn their back to the sea