Researchers from the University of Chile and O’Higgins University have discovered a new moai statue on Rapa Nui, an island in Chile commonly known as Easter Island. The moai statues are thought to represent the ancestors of the Rapa Nui community, with approximately 1,000 of them spread across the island’s 160 square kilometers (60 square miles). As these sculptures are believed to protect the community, they are typically positioned to face inwards, away from the sea. In 1995, Rapa Nui was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the island was renamed “Rapa Nui-Easter Island” in 2019 from it’s previous name of Easter Island. The new moai statue discovered offers further insight into the culture and history of the island, making it an important find for the local community and wider world.

Source: ABC News March 02, 2023 22:00 UTC