Easter Island moai feature in report published on 13 November
Published on 11/14/2026 at 17:40 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSResearch and heritage context
- Binghamton University published its moai research report on 13 November 2026.
- An experimental 4.35-ton replica travelled 100 metres in 40 minutes with 18 people.
- UNESCO inscribed Easter Island’s national park as a World Heritage site in 1995.
Easter Island moai (moai) feature in a research report published on 13 November 2026 by Binghamton University, linking the statues to experiments on how they were moved across the island. The report concerns the archaeological landscape around Hanga Roa in Chile and revisits a long-running question through physics, three-dimensional modelling and field trials.
New research report examines how the statues moved
The report presents work by Binghamton University archaeologist Carl Lipo and University of Arizona archaeologist Terry Hunt. Their analysis argues that the statues could have been moved upright with ropes in a controlled rocking motion, rather than being dragged horizontally on wooden devices.
The researchers studied nearly 1,000 statues and examined features including broad, D-shaped bases and a forward lean. These characteristics would have helped a figure pivot from side to side while progressing along a prepared route. The report also describes a 4.35-ton replica moved 100 metres in 40 minutes by 18 people. The paper behind the report is titled The Walking Moai Hypothesis: Archaeological Evidence, Experimental Validation, and Response to Critics and appeared in the Journal of Archaeological Science. The Binghamton report on the research gives the publication date, team and experimental details.
Rano Raraku roads connect the study to the landscape
The research relates directly to the physical setting of the statues. Ancient roads on the island measure 4.5 metres across and have a concave profile, features that the researchers say could have helped stabilise upright figures during movement.
Most statues were carved from volcanic tuff at the Rano Raraku quarry before being taken to ceremonial platforms known as ahu. The wider archaeological setting is protected within the national park, which UNESCO describes as a cultural landscape containing shrines, platforms and enormous stone figures. The site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1995, and the UNESCO description of the national park records statues ranging from 2 to 20 metres in height.
That connection gives the 13 November report a practical geographical dimension. The roads are not simply background scenery: their width and shape form part of the evidence used to test how the statues may have travelled from the quarry towards their final platforms.
Visiting Easter Island moai: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The research report was published on 13 November 2026 and concerns the moai landscape across Easter Island, including the quarry and ancient transport roads.
- The report announces no special opening or changed entrance. Visitors should treat it as a research update rather than a visitor programme.
- The statues are located on Easter Island, Chile, with Hanga Roa as the principal settlement and base for visits to the archaeological landscape.
- The ancient transport roads described in the research are about 4.5 metres wide and have a concave profile.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
Searching for Easter Island moai on social platforms
These links open searches for Easter Island moai on each platform.
Frequently asked questions about Easter Island moai
When was the Easter Island moai research report published?
Binghamton University published the report on 13 November 2026. It covers research into upright movement using ropes, modelling and field experiments.
What does the report say about the statues?
It argues that broad bases, a forward lean and controlled rope pulls could have enabled upright movement along prepared roads. The interpretation remains an archaeological explanation of how transport may have worked.
Where are the Easter Island moai and how do you get there?
The statues are on Easter Island, Chile, in and around the protected national park. Hanga Roa is the principal settlement associated with visits to the island’s archaeological sites.
