Rapa Nui

Easter Island or Rapa Nui is one of the most isolated inhabited islands on the planet. Separated by 3,700 kilometers from the coast of Chile, the island is known around the world for the unique architecture and monumental stone sculptures created by the polynesian settlers. Built primarily from the 10th to the 17th centuries, these large stone figures were carved from volcanic stone and were shaped to represent important individuals. With an average height of 13 feet and weighing 14 tons the statues were transported throughout the island and positioned upon large stone ceremonial platforms known as ahus.

Since 2017 CyArk has collaborated with the managers of Rapa Nui National Park, Ma'u Henua Comunidad Indigena Polinesica and the Chilean National Monuments Commission (Secretaría Técnica de Patrimonio Rapa Nui) for the emergency documentation of priority monuments within the park. Many sites located along the coast are being affected by erosion especially following severe weather events and our ongoing work is being used to inform the conservation and management of the places.