Moai dated to 1220 AD, buried under mysterious sediment. Carbon dating of Moai at the quarry lowest levels dates to around 1220 AD Moai were built from around 1200 AD to 1600 AD, making them 400-800 years old Some Moai are buried under 20 feet of sediment, some entirely, others up to their necks
Carbon dating shows Moai at the quarry date to around 1200 AD, coinciding with Rapa Nui colonization. Many Moai are buried under sediment at the Rano Raraku quarry—some entirely, others only showing heads and shoulders—which explains why people think they're just heads when they're actually full-bodied statues! 🌋 Rapa Nui, Chile
Key Facts
- Carbon dating of Moai at the quarry lowest levels dates to around 1220 AD
- Moai were built from around 1200 AD to 1600 AD, making them 400-800 years old
- Some Moai are buried under 20 feet of sediment, some entirely, others up to their necks
- This explains why people think Moai are only heads when they are actually full-bodied statues
- European sketches from 1722 show Moai at identical sediment levels to today, leaving only 120 years to accumulate over 20 feet of earth
Related site: Rapa Nui — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Exploring RAPA NUI / Easter Island by Funny Olde World