Randy Olson, Melissa Farlow Photography

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  • Easter Island is the most remote inhabited island in the world.  The nearest population center is Chile (2300 miles) and the nearest Polynesian center in the opposite direction is Tahiti (2600 miles).  Easter Island, (Rapa Nui, Isla de Pascua) is famous for Moai everywhere along the coast and littered abandoned in the center along the Moai roads used to transport them.  Polynesians had a knack for colonizing even the most inhospitable oceanic rock.  They were adept sailors, explorers, colonizers and their experience taught them the best way to escape war or famine was to sail east - to go windward in search of new islands.  There is no evidence that a 2nd group reached the island in early history as Heyerdall alledges – in fact it points to the opposite.  Easter Island had military rule until 1965 and had cashless societies of fishing and farming that have since been broken apart by independence and a dependence on tourism.  Rapa Nui are strict with marriage records and it is possible to trace this culture's roots to 30 or so couples who survived 19th century.
    MM8059_20110616_10548.tif
  • Ahu Akahanga – This small Moai in the blue light of late evening shows the early style for crafting Moais – he has really big eyes – shorter proportions - and it may have been associated with the Ahu behind it at this place over the ocean.  This area on the south coast had a higher population density and had more Moai.  The early statues were more variable in form… later they started to look more alike.<br />
<br />
Easter Island is the most remote inhabited island in the world.  The nearest population center is Chile (2300 miles) and the nearest Polynesian center in the opposite direction is Tahiti (2600 miles).  Easter Island, (Rapa Nui, Isla de Pascua) is famous for Moai everywhere along the coast toppled on their Ahu’s and littered abandoned in the center along the Moai roads used to transport them.  Polynesians had a knack for colonizing even the most inhospitable oceanic rock.  They were adept sailors, explorers, colonizers and their experience taught them the best way to escape war or famine was to sail east, to windward in search of new islands.  There is no evidence that a 2nd group reached the island in early history as Heyerdall alledges – in fact it points to the opposite.  Easter Island had military rule until 1965 and had cashless societies of fishing and farming that have since been broken apart by independence and a dependence on tourism.  Rapanui incest laws are strict with everybody tracing roots to 30 or so couples who survived 19th century Peruvian slave raiding and epidemics.
    MM8059_20110522_05453.tif
  • This is the "quarry" area on Easter Island.<br />
The Moai were carved out of the rock above this spot and slid down the slopes into a pit to bring the statue upright.  Once in the pit, they finished the carving on the backside.  These Moai left in the quarry were abandoned throughout time… not like Pompeii… Many of the Moai are left because they didn’t get the center of gravity right or there is a major rock inclusion in a bad area of the statue.  <br />
<br />
Easter Island is the most remote inhabited island in the world.  The nearest population center is Chile (2300 miles) and the nearest Polynesian center in the opposite direction is Tahiti (2600 miles).  Easter Island, (Rapa Nui, Isla de Pascua) is famous for Moai everywhere along the coast toppled on their Ahu’s and littered abandoned in the center along the Moai roads used to transport them.
    MM8059_20110612_08206.tif
  • An American photographer on assignment with an Easter Island photographer.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1494005.JPG
  • Descendants from Easter Island's original 30 couples.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493949.JPG
  • A boy on a swing in Easter Island's countryside.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493945.JPG
  • A Rapanui man fishes for rudderfish in high waves on Easter Island's south coast.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493941.JPG
  • A Rapanui man fishes for rudderfish in high waves on Easter Island's south coast.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1477016.JPG
  • A small breed of wild horses, brought over from Tahiti, graze on Easter Island.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1494001.JPG
  • A small breed of wild horses, brought over from Tahiti, graze on Easter Island.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493978.JPG
  • Scientists prepare a drone for aerial mapping of Easter Island.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493958.JPG
  • A small breed of wild horses, brought over from Tahiti, trek across Easter Island.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493946.JPG
  • A small breed of wild horses, brought over from Tahiti, graze on Easter Island.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493942.JPG
  • A small breed of wild horses, brought over from Tahiti, on Easter Island.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1494000.JPG
  • Three volcanoes, quiet now, formed Easter Island half a million years ago.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493976.JPG
  • Three volcanoes, quiet now, formed Easter Island half a million years ago.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493975.JPG
  • Three volcanoes, quiet now, formed Easter Island half a million years ago.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493974.JPG
  • Three volcanoes, quiet now, formed Easter Island half a million years ago.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1477354.JPG
  • Tourists diving on Easter Island's reef encounter a fake moai.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1477347.JPG
  • A side of island-grown beef awaits a family gathering.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1477018.JPG
  • Easter Procession in the town of Orosei on the island of Sardinia.
    RANDY OLSON_MM7890_1386347.JPG
  • Children learn about at an ancient skull on a tour of the museum.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493982.JPG
  • A Rapanui impresario takes a break at home while waiting for tourists to arrive at his restaurant.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1477019.JPG
  • Preparation for a canoe race in Hanga Roa.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493960.JPG
  • Election day in Hanga Roa.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493977.JPG
  • A Rapanui man with his Belgian girlfriend live in a one-room house.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493986.JPG
  • Prisoners carve Moai in the prison workroom for sale to tourists.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493983.JPG
  • A Rapanui dancer paints his body.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493950.JPG
  • A Rapanui man with his Belgian girlfriend live in a one-room house.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1477350.JPG
  • A Rapanui man shares a moment with his pregnant Chilean girlfriend.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1477017.JPG
  • At a political demonstration, marchers carry the red-and-white Rapanui flag.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1477015.JPG
  • Prisoners carve Moai in the prison workroom for sale to tourists.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493985.JPG
  • Prisoners carve Moai in the prison workroom for sale to tourists.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493984.JPG
  • Children learn how to carve Moai in elementary school.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493981.JPG
  • At a political demonstration, marchers carry independence from Chile banners.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493972.JPG
  • A Rapanui dancer with body paint listens to native musicians.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493970.JPG
  • A native dancer, a tourist and a dog at Ahu Tahia.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493965.JPG
  • Spectators at a canoe race in Hanga Roa.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493962.JPG
  • Preparation for a canoe race in Hanga Roa.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493961.JPG
  • A Rapanui sands wooden Moai for sale to tourists.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493957.JPG
  • A trash recycle center outside Hanga Roa.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493956.JPG
  • The daily market in downtown Hanga Roa.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493955.JPG
  • A man on horseback rides through downtown Hanga Roa.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493954.JPG
  • Rapanui dancers perform for tourists.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493953.JPG
  • A Rapanui dancer entertains tourists.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493952.JPG
  • A Rapanui dancer applies body paint to a tourist.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493951.JPG
  • Tourists with a Rapanui dance group.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493948.JPG
  • The Ahu Tautira statue looms behind a girl in a swimsuit.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493940.JPG
  • Pedestrians and vehicles on the way community to a gathering in Hanga Roa.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493939.JPG
  • A moai at Plaza Hatumatua in downtown Hanga Roa.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493931.JPG
  • A Rapanui man with his girlfriend.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1477352.JPG
  • Tourists photograph a native dancer in body paint.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1477351.JPG
  • Boys horse race on the road to Hanga Roa from Tonga Riki.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493937.JPG
  • Restored moai with topknots on Akakena Beach.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493995.JPG
  • Restored moai with topknots on Akakena Beach.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493973.JPG
  • A couple stroll beneath power lines toward moai statues at Ahu Tahai.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493938.JPG
  • A palm tree grove at Ahu Nau Nau.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1494004.JPG
  • Restored moai with topknots on Akakena Beach.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493996.JPG
  • A wedding is celebrated Rapanui style.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493933.JPG
  • Restored moai stand watch over landscapers mowing grass.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493930.JPG
  • Cover of the 100 Greatest Mysteries Revealed.
    RANDY OLSON_NGMCOVER_2351228.JPG
  • Ancient Moai statues dot a hillside on Rano Raraku crater.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1494003.JPG
  • A restored moai at Ahu Tongariki.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1494002.JPG
  • A restored Maoi at Ahu Nau Nau.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493999.JPG
  • Ancient Moai statues dot a hillside on Rano Raraku crater.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493998.JPG
  • A small breed of wild horse, brought over from Tahiti, stands in a flowering field.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493994.JPG
  • A petroglyph with a birdman motif.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493993.JPG
  • Ancient Moai statues dot a hillside on Rano Raraku crater.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493992.JPG
  • A moai statue at Ahu Akahanga.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493991.JPG
  • A moai statue at Ahu Akahanga.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493989.JPG
  • Restored moai stand watch at Ahu Tongariki.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493988.JPG
  • Maoi replicas near a hotel.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493980.JPG
  • A moai and dog at Plaza Hatumatua in downtown Hanga Roa.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493979.JPG
  • A small breed of wild horse, brought over from Tahiti, stands in the rain.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493971.JPG
  • An ancient Moai statue dots a hillside on Rano Raraku crater.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493968.JPG
  • Restored moai stand watch at Ahu Tongariki.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493967.JPG
  • An ancient Moai statue and wild horses on Rano Raraku crater.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493936.JPG
  • Chilean newlyweds in festive paint and feathers celebrate marriage Rapanui style.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493934.JPG
  • A petroglyph of a face at Ahu Tongariki.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493932.JPG
  • Chilean newlyweds in festive paint and feathers celebrate marriage Rapanui style.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1477349.JPG
  • Restored moai stand watch at Ahu Tongariki.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1477348.JPG
  • Restored moai stand watch at Ahu Tongariki.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493990.JPG
  • A trash dump outside Hanga Roa.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493969.JPG
  • Restored moai stand watch at Ahu Tongariki.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493966.JPG
  • Ancient Moai statues dot a hillside on Rano Raraku crater.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493964.JPG
  • Ancient Moai statues dot a hillside on Rano Raraku crater.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493963.JPG
  • Ancient Moai statues and wild horses on Anakena Beach.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493959.JPG
  • A small breed of wild horses, brought over from Tahiti, drink water from a container.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493947.JPG
  • A wild horse invades a herd of grazing cattle.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493944.JPG
  • A tour bus passes a parked motorcycle.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493943.JPG
  • Ancient Moai statues dot a hillside on Rano Raraku crater.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1493935.JPG
  • An ancient Moai statue on a hillside at night.
    RANDY OLSON_MM8059_1477353.JPG