Scientists have finally solved the centuries-old mystery of how Easter Island’s massive moai statues were moved, revealing that they “walked” to their destinations using a rocking motion with ropes.

The centuries-old enigma of how the colossal stone heads of Easter Island—known as moai—were transported to their final locations has finally been cracked.

For years, scientists and archaeologists have struggled to understand how the ancient people of Rapa Nui managed to move these immense statues, some weighing as much as 80 tons, across the island’s rugged landscape.

Now, thanks to cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking experiments, the answer has come to light: the moai “walked.”

A team of anthropologists has used a combination of 3D modeling, computer simulations, and real-world trials to prove that the Rapa Nui people likely employed a unique method to move the statues:

a technique in which ropes were attached to the statues, and small teams of people rocked them back and forth, causing them to shuffle forward in a walking motion.

“This is one of the most exciting discoveries in archaeological science,” said Professor Carl Lipo, one of the lead researchers and a faculty member at Binghamton University. “What we’ve found is that the process was surprisingly simple, and it worked remarkably well.”

The breakthrough came when scientists began to question the traditional assumption that the moai had been dragged over the island, perhaps lying flat or being pulled upright by large groups of people.

Moving such massive statues this way would have been a monumental challenge, especially for the largest heads.

But by thinking outside the box, the research team discovered that the moai, with their large, D-shaped bases and forward-leaning features, were uniquely designed to be “walked.”

“Once you get the statue moving, it’s not hard at all,” said Lipo. “People can pull with one arm, and it conserves energy. The hard part is getting it rocking in the first place.”

To test the theory, the researchers constructed a 4.35-ton replica of a moai head based on detailed 3D models. This replica, just like the original statues, had a forward-leaning center of gravity and a rounded base that made it perfect for the walking technique.

With a team of just 18 people, the scientists were able to move the replica statue a distance of 100 meters in only 40 minutes—far faster than previous attempts using traditional dragging methods.

The team used ropes to rock the statue in a zig-zag pattern, allowing it to shuffle forward with ease.

“We were able to move it so quickly that it was almost unbelievable,” said Professor Terry Hunt from the University of Arizona, who collaborated on the research.

“This experiment gives us the confidence that the largest moai were likely moved the same way, using the walking technique. It’s not just a theory anymore—it’s proven science.”

The idea that the moai could have “walked” to their destinations isn’t just a modern innovation.

The researchers point to surviving oral traditions of the Rapa Nui people, who have long spoken of the statues walking across the island from the quarry where they were carved to their final resting places.

Now, this ancient folklore has been validated by science.

The moai were crafted from volcanic tuff, a soft stone that allowed skilled artisans to carve them into the distinct, oversized heads that have fascinated the world for centuries.

However, moving them from the quarry to the ceremonial sites scattered across the island posed a massive logistical challenge.

The stones were often much too large and heavy to be dragged easily, and earlier theories about the use of sledges or wooden rollers didn’t quite add up, especially for the larger statues.

The breakthrough came when the team realized that the statues’ design, particularly their D-shaped base and forward tilt, made them ideal for rocking back and forth.

This feature meant that when pulled on a rope in a back-and-forth motion, the statue could move forward in a controlled, if unconventional, “walking” fashion.

In addition to their groundbreaking experiments, the researchers also examined the network of ancient pathways, referred to as “moai roads,” that crisscross the island.

These roads, previously thought to be simple transport routes, were actually specially designed to assist with the movement of the moai.

With a width of about 4.5 meters and a concave shape, these roads helped to stabilize the statues as they shuffled forward. The gentle curve of the roads made it easier to maintain the rocking motion, preventing the moai from tipping over during transport.

Some of the moai found along these routes even show signs of having been righted by the Rapa Nui people, with digging evidence around their bases suggesting efforts to prop them up as they “walked.”

Professor Lipo explained, “Every time they moved a statue, it looks like they were constructing a road specifically for that statue. It wasn’t just about the journey; the road itself was part of the process.”

The researchers also found that the moai roads were not just functional but had been built with the specific purpose of accommodating the statues’ unique movement.

These paths were likely planned and constructed to enable the statues to be moved over long distances with minimal risk of damage. In essence, the roads were as much a part of the moai’s journey as the people who moved them.

The discovery has painted a picture of the Rapa Nui people as master engineers, capable of solving seemingly impossible logistical problems with remarkable creativity.

The ability to move these giant statues efficiently over vast distances demonstrates the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the ancient civilization that thrived on Easter Island centuries ago.

“The people of Rapa Nui were incredibly smart,” said Lipo. “They figured this out, and they executed it flawlessly. They left us a huge legacy to learn from.”

The team’s findings are expected to reshape our understanding of the technological advancements of ancient cultures, showing that the Rapa Nui people not only created the iconic moai but also developed a sophisticated method for moving them across their island.

While this discovery may have solved one of Easter Island’s most enduring mysteries, it also opens up new questions about how the moai were used in the broader context of Rapa Nui society.

The statues have long been linked to religious rituals, ancestral worship, and power displays.

Now that we understand how they were moved, the next step for scientists is to explore the deeper meaning behind these monumental creations and the role they played in the spiritual and political life of the island’s ancient inhabitants.

As researchers continue to study the history of Easter Island, it’s clear that the story of the moai is far from over. But for now, the mystery of how these massive statues moved across the island has been solved—thanks to the ingenuity of the people who first crafted them.

Easter Island’s ancient builders didn’t just create moai; they figured out how to make them walk across the land. And that, in itself, is a stunning achievement that honors the legacy of one of the world’s most remarkable civilizations.