Rapa Nui Landscapes of Construction
This collection of images was taken during the Spring 2008 and 2009 seasons of
this project: an international collaboration co-directed by Professor Sue
Hamilton (UCL Institute of Archaeology) that involves universities and
local organisations and is supported by the British Academy and was recently awarded a major Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) research project grant.
Rapa Nui is the local name for Easter Island, one of the remotest places on earth, measuring just 170 square km. It is best known for its iconic statues, which were carved and set up 1000 - 1500 AD. The project aims to treat the construction activities associated with the statues and other aspects of island architecture as a whole, involving mapping, surveying, and excavation on an island-wide basis. In particular, the researchers are investigating the resources, locations, construction elements and conceptual aspects that link the different places associated with the statues, from their carving in the quarries through their transport along roads to their final positioning on ceremonial platforms near the coast.
A new project website is currently under development. In the meantime, to find out more about the project please contact Sue Hamilton.
