The 2012 experiment provided a foundational understanding, prompting Carl Lipo to revisit the concept with new insights. He expressed to Ars the belief that the original study lacked clear theoretical expectations regarding crucial variables such as the number of participants, transportation speed, and road gradients. These factors, he noted, were not adequately defined during the initial experiment, which faced time limitations due to filming for a NOVA documentary.
“The first experiment was essentially a demonstration of feasibility,” Lipo stated. “We were thrilled when it finally began to move with minimal effort, and our excitement was evident in our reactions at that moment. However, the constraints of filming only allowed us a short timeframe to explore different variables. It was only on the last day, around 4:30 PM, that we achieved success, leaving us with little opportunity to test various predictions.”
Example of a road moai that fell and was abandoned after an attempt to re-erect it by excavating under its base, leaving it partially buried at an angle.
Credit: Carl Lipo
In this new endeavor, Lipo aims to delve deeper into the physics involved, asserting that the results observed can be accurately predicted based on the physical characteristics of the moai, such as their dimensions, weight, and the number of individuals involved in moving them. “This research allows us to counter one of the common critiques: questioning whether our success with a 5-ton, 10-foot statue could be replicated with a larger 30-foot, 30-ton version,” he explained.
All about that base
It is important to note that ahu (platforms) can exist independently of moai (statues), and vice versa, often found along ancient transport routes leading to the ahu. Many of these statues appear to have been abandoned during transport. Lipo and his colleague have compiled an extensive database of 962 moai across Easter Island, gathered through detailed field surveys and photogrammetric analysis. Their research particularly focuses on 62 statues positioned along the ancient roads, which seem to have been left behind where they fell.
