Easter Island - Tour the Island
3.Ahu Vinapu

1. Rano Raraku 2. Ahu Tongariki 3. Ahu Vinapu 4.Ahu Akivi 5. Ahu Naunau 6. Ahu Tahai 7. Rano Kau and Orongo

Ahu Vinapu is not as spectacular as some of the other sites on Easter Island. There are no erected moai, no giant craters to peer into, and it's views include the airport fuel tanks. But at Ahu Vinapu, to some, stands evidence that flies in the face of what modern archaeologists want us to believe about the people that built the ruins.

At Ahu Vinapu we see a style of stonework not found at any other Polynesian site. This is the only site on Easter where this level of workmanship is shown as well, however, other sites had existed but were torn down by the missionaries to build houses.

While this type of precise stone fitting is nonexistent in Pacific Island cultures, it is common among South American cultures that occurred before and during Easter's occupation. It is this striking similarity that has lead some, most notably, Thor Heyerdahl, to suggest that it is evidence that South Americans colonized, or at least were present on Easter Island, and influenced the culture. (see the controversies section) One other mystery is that Ahu Vinapu is considered to be a fairly early site. Generally you would assume that an earlier site would have less craftsmanship involved than a later site, yet, in this case we see the reverse.

Although all that remains visible at Vinapu now are the broken remains of an ahu, reports from as late as 1816 say moai where standing at the site. There are several buried around the ahu with only their faces visible.

Largely unrestored, there is an erie feeling at this place. The blood red scoria column, the half buried faced peering at you from the grass, and a small broken wall from what was obviously a massive structure, all combine to really strike home the failure of this unique culture.

Clearly, Ahu Vinapu was an important site. Captain Cook's logs tell of up to 20 moai erected in this area. The remains of red scordia monuments have also been found on the site including a rare column-like monument whose carvings and meaning have eroded forever.

Are these walls the proof of South American influence or just as one archeologist put it: "there are only so many ways to carve a rock."


Next: Ahu Akivi

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