Easter Island’s Moai Statues Could “Walk” with Ingenious Physics

A recent study reveals that the iconic moai statues of Easter Island, known locally as Rapa Nui, could have been moved using a technique akin to “walking.” According to researchers, a small group of individuals, combined with ropes and the principles of pendulum dynamics, enabled the transport of these massive statues, which can weigh several tons. This insight, published in the forthcoming November 2025 issue of the Journal of Archaeological Science, challenges long-held beliefs about how the Indigenous people of Rapa Nui maneuvered their monumental creations centuries ago.

Anthropologists discovered that unfinished moai, which were abandoned shortly after being quarried, displayed unique features that aided their movement. These statues were designed with a low center of mass and a forward lean, which facilitated transport. Study co-author Carl Lipo, a professor of anthropology at Binghamton University in New York, noted, “What we found is the fact that statues were moved with very small numbers of people in an amazingly ingenious way.”

Innovative Techniques and Findings

To further understand the logistics involved, the research team virtually recreated the moai and concluded that, using three ropes and anywhere from 15 to 60 people, the statues could take steps averaging 35 inches (89 centimeters) long across the Rapa Nui landscape. This finding provides compelling evidence against the traditional view that extensive resources and large workforces were necessary for the movement of the moai from the Rano Raraku quarry to their ceremonial sites, which are typically located about 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) away.

The researchers conducted an earlier televised experiment in 2012, where a team of 18 people successfully moved a scaled replica weighing 4.8 tons a distance of 328 feet (100 meters) in just 40 minutes. Lipo acknowledged the need for a more methodical approach, stating, “Our goal was simply: What’s the least number of people we can get to move this thing.”

Understanding the Mechanics of Movement

To fill in the gaps from previous experiments, Lipo and co-author Terry Hunt, a professor at the University of Arizona, created detailed 3D models of 62 moai located along ancient roads, termed “road moai.” These models revealed that the statues had a distinct forward lean ranging from 6 to 15 degrees. This design effectively shifted their center of mass, allowing them to rock side to side, facilitating movement.

The authors also noted that the D-shaped bases of the road moai acted as pivot points, enhancing their ability to “walk.” The absence of eye sockets in these statues, contrasted with their fully detailed counterparts, suggests that finishing touches were applied only once the moai reached their final destinations.

By analyzing the physics involved in this movement, the researchers determined that 15 to 60 individuals would be required to initiate motion, while only five to 25 would be needed to maintain it. This mode of transport was deemed “remarkably efficient,” as the moai could theoretically “walk” an average of 1,000 feet (310 meters) per hour, with larger statues potentially taking longer strides. A typical moai would require approximately 11,000 steps to complete a journey of 6.2 miles (10 kilometers).

The implications of this research have sparked a lively discussion among experts. Sue Hamilton, an archaeologist and professor of prehistory at University College London, described the findings as “an ingenious and worthwhile contribution to the discussion.” However, she cautioned that the data presented could support various interpretations, and that the current study demonstrates one possible method for moving the moai without proving it as the sole explanation.

Hamilton emphasized that while the research highlights the technical feasibility of upright movement, other plausible hypotheses remain. “The current work by the authors further demonstrates the technical possibility of upright movement of the statues (moai), but it does not prove that it happened,” she stated.

For Lipo and Hunt, the discourse surrounding the walking moai theory remains vital. They contend that critics have yet to present compelling alternatives that account for the extensive evidence available. As the conversation continues, the study adds a fascinating layer to the understanding of how the people of Rapa Nui may have accomplished this remarkable feat.