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Mapping prehistoric statue roads on Easter Island

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2015

Carl P. Lipo  and
Terry L. Hunt
Carl P. Lipo
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, California State University Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840, USA (Email: clipo@csulb.edu)
Terry L. Hunt
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Hawai’i-Manoa, 2424 Maile Way Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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Abstract

High resolution satellite photographs offer a new picture of the tracks along which the Easter Island giant statues were hauled from the central quarry to the exhibition sites. The survey traced 32 km of seven major roads, confirmed by features on the ground, where their current condition gives reasons for concern. The authors suggest that the radial pattern implies social division into small groups.

Keywords

Easter Islandremote sensingsatellite imageryprehistoric roadwaysmonumental statuary
Type
Research Article
Information
Antiquity , Volume 79 , Issue 303 , March 2005 , pp. 158 - 168
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 2005

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