How the Easter Island Giant Moai Statues Moved

The Easter Island's iconic moai statues have garnered such widespread popularity that they have even been given their own 'Emoji'. Despite their enigmatic significance for centuries, recent research has shed light on the methods used to construct and transport these statues to their permanent locations. Comprising of three distinct parts, namely a large yellow body, a red hat or top knot, and white inset eyes with a coral iris, around 1,000 of these statues were created. The primary material used for the statues was volcanic tuff, which was sourced from a local quarry that was once a volcano. While the material was relatively easy to carve, it posed significant challenges in terms of transportation, as evidenced by the discovery of over 300 unfinished moai in the quarry. The remaining statues were erected in various locations, facing the villages as if watching over the locals. It is believed that the statues were carved while lying on their backs and then detached from the rock to be moved down the slope and set in a vertical position for completion. The task of transporting these massive statues, weighing approximately 81.5 tons, over a distance of three miles without modern equipment or vehicles was a daunting one. Researchers have attempted to recreate the process, with the most successful experiment involving the use of ropes to rock the statue down the road in a standing position. The existence of an 800-year-old road network on the island, identified by researcher Catherine Rutledge, suggests that the roads were likely built for pilgrims to a sacred volcano, with the moai statues serving as signposts.

In Southern England, lies another enigmatic stone structure, Stonehenge, whose purpose has been debated by scientists for years. Constructed over 1500 years by Neolithic builders, the structure comprises roughly 100 stones standing upright in a circle. Millions of tourists visit the site every year, and heritage protectors have taken measures to ensure that the modern road snaking close to the landmark does not damage it. Recent archaeological excavations have revealed the existence of an ancient pathway leading up to Stonehenge, which was likely used by ancient people for ceremonies and other purposes. During a dry summer, three dry patch marks were discovered within the stone circle, indicating that Stonehenge may have been a full circle at some point.

In 2021, archaeologists discovered a submerged Roman Road in the Venetian Lagoon, providing evidence that the Romans were present in the area before sea levels rose and flooded the region. The discovery supports the theory that there was an important settlement in the area centuries before Venice was founded in the 5th Century CE. The ancient Romans were renowned for their road-building skills, and the discovery of the submerged road indicates that they were not afraid to work on challenging terrain.

In El Salvador, researchers discovered a Maya Village called 'Sarin,' which was preserved by volcanic ash after a nearby volcano erupted over 1400 years ago. The village was preparing for a ritual when the eruption occurred, and the residents had to flee the plaza and run south on a raised road called 'Sacbe.' The road was made of ash, indicating that the Maya people used materials other than stones to construct their roads.

Archaeologists discovered several coins in Jerusalem while excavating an old street, indicating that the road was built during the reign of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judaea. The road was likely used by pilgrims to reach the temple mount for worship, and it was laid with over ten thousand tons of limestone. The road's luxurious construction raises questions about why a Roman governor would spend so much money on it, with some speculating that it was an attempt to gain favor with the city's population.

The Old North Trail is an ancient highway that has been used by North American inhabitants for over ten thousand years, first on foot, then with dogs, and finally with horses. The trail was used for trade, visiting relatives, finding a mate, and exploring. Recent research has confirmed the authenticity of the stories and legends of the Blackfoot Indians about the trail, which may have served as a route for one of the most massive human migrations in history. The Nakasendo Highway, built during the Edo period of Japanese history in the 17th century, linked Kyoto and Tokyo and was used by feudal lords and their families to travel to the capital. The 310-mile-long road had 69 post stations where travelers could stay overnight and was built for horses and pedestrians, as carts were not used in Japan. Some parts of the route can still be walked today!