Rano Raraku
NileGuide Expert Says:
Rano Raraku is considered the "nursery" of the moai, or their birthplace. Here many moai sit unfinished, and several which were never knocked down are present.Address:
Hanga Roa, Chile
NileGuide Expert tip:
Don't miss the only example of a seated moai here at the quarry, called Tukuturi, which sits with its back to the Poike peninsula.Description:
Rano Raraku is one of the biggie destinations for visitors to Rapa Nui/Easter Island. It is considered the nursery of the moai, as it is where up to 95% of the stone was taken for carving moai. The quarry provides compressed volcanic ash for building, also called tuff, which, despite its name, is relatively easy to carve.Rano Raraku is located within the national park, and also has a crater lake. It is one of the seven sections of the national park, and contains many incomplete moai, and some which may never have been intended to be removed from the area. There are also a number of moai, which, unlike the other, reconstructed moai, were never knocked down during the civil wars.
The quarry is also the resting site of the famous moai called Tukuturi, which is suspected of being one of the latest moai carved. It is not carved from the stone at the quarry, and is shown in a seated position, which is unique.
Map:
