Easter Island moai gain a 3D model on 17 October
Published on 10/18/2026 at 03:54 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Easter Island moai can now be explored through a high-resolution 3D model published on 17 October 2026, bringing the Rano Raraku quarry closer to people far beyond Hanga Roa. The digital project records the volcanic site where the statues were made and connects the island’s archaeological landscape with new research on how production was organised.
A 3D model opens Rano Raraku on 17 October
Binghamton University’s 3D model lets users zoom across the quarry and inspect areas that are difficult or unsafe to reach on foot. The university says the model includes almost 1,000 moai and is available to view online.
The research team used 11,686 images made with unmanned aerial vehicles to build the model. The work followed around 30 drone flights and 22,000 photographs taken after a wildfire raised concern about the future condition of the quarry. The digital record therefore serves both as a research tool and as a detailed record of a vulnerable archaeological site.
The new model also gives the current news a clear archaeological focus. Researchers examined 30 workshop areas and found patterns suggesting that several independent groups worked in separate parts of the quarry at the same time. The result adds spatial evidence to the view that statue production was not controlled by one central authority.
The quarry connects the moai to their production landscape
Rano Raraku is a volcanic crater on the island’s south-eastern side and the principal quarry for the statues. Chile’s national tourism board describes it as the moai factory, with almost 400 figures still visible in different stages of construction, including statues that remain attached to the bedrock. Its official guide to Rano Raraku also identifies the freshwater lagoon inside the crater and views towards the Tongariki platform.
That physical setting explains why the model matters for visitors. The quarry is steep and rugged, so the digital version shows upper surfaces, sides and unfinished sections that are not all visible from the marked route. It also places individual statues beside the workshop areas where researchers studied differences in carving and the distribution of production activity.
For travellers, the project offers a second way to understand the site without treating the online model as a replacement for the protected landscape. The real quarry preserves the relationship between statues, volcanic rock and crater, while the digital version makes details available that can be hard to see during a visit. Together, those perspectives connect the 17 October publication with the place itself.
Visiting Easter Island moai: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The 3D model was published on 17 October 2026 and can be viewed online. The physical setting represented is Rano Raraku, the main quarry of the Easter Island moai.
- The online model does not change physical access. At the quarry, visitors must remain on marked paths, avoid touching or climbing on the statues and follow local guide instructions.
- Rano Raraku lies on the south-eastern side of Easter Island. From Hanga Roa, Chile Travel lists access by vehicle and says entry to the main archaeological sites requires an accredited local guide or an organised tour.
- The terrain includes a volcanic crater, uneven paths and steep, rugged sections. The digital model is useful for viewing areas that are difficult or unsafe to traverse in person.
- Spanish is Chile’s official language and the national currency is the Chilean peso.
- 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
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Frequently asked questions about Easter Island moai
When was the 3D model of the Easter Island moai published?
The model was presented on 17 October 2026 by Binghamton University. It records the Rano Raraku quarry and is available to explore online.
Where are the Easter Island moai and how do you get there?
The principal quarry is Rano Raraku, on the south-eastern side of Easter Island. Travellers reach the island through Mataveri International Airport and continue from Hanga Roa with an accredited local guide or organised tour.
What is Rano Raraku?
Rano Raraku is a volcanic crater and the main quarry where the statues were carved. Almost 400 moai remain visible there in different stages of construction, while the new model records almost 1,000 figures across the wider quarry landscape.
