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Click on any photo for a larger view. Many of the photos appearing here have been donated to our site by visitors who have returned from Easter Island wanting to share their experiences.
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Orongo |
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The lake in the crater of Rano Kau is covered with floating mats of vegetation. This decaying vegetation turns the water black, making it unfit for swimming... or drinking. |
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The
caldera at Rano Kau from the rim, looking south towards Orongo in the far distant upper right. |
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From the same spot, but looking east over the mile-wide crater lake. |
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Orongo
Birdman petroglyphs in bas relief. |
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Mata Ngarau, the sacred
"center" of Orongo is famed for its petroglyphs. The islets of Motu Nui, Motu Iti, and Motu Kao Kao are below in the distance. |
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Orongo. Another view of the petroglyphs at Mata Ngarau, with the islets in the distance. |
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Unique
bas relief Birdman-like figures made in
Hawai'i during pre-Western times. Similar to Rapanui
tangata manu (Birdman), these rare examples are on display in the outdoor garden at the Bishop Museum, Honolulu. |
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An old "rubbing" or "daubing" of birdmen from Orongo. Although once considered the least destructive method of reproducing petroglyphs, it is now forbidden to use this method as well. Left unmonitored, the fine petroglyphs would be worn away. Man's destruction of the treasures of Easter Island has been greater than hundreds of years of natural weathering. Visitors are
asked not to walk on or touch any of the rare, quickly deteriorating island carvings. |
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Vinapu Complex |
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The Vinapu complex is on the east side of the Rano Kau peninsula, just south of the far end of the air strip. Pictured here is the finely chisled masonry sea wall of Vinapu I, or Ahu Tahiri. The lichen encrusted stone to the right is actually the weathered head of a moai. |
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A closer view of Ahu Tahiri's extraordinary stone work. Note the close jointwork and the even, finely pecked surface. |
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Vai Atari |
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A sweeping vista from Rano Kau, looking north. Poike
Peninsula is in the distance, to the right; Mt. Terevaka
is to the left. The island's former volcanic nature is clearly evident. |
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All text, photos & design © 2005 by the Easter Island Foundation.
Photographs or text should not be used without written permission.
02/12/07
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