The Ancient Astronomy of Easter Island: Mars and Sweet Potatoes

TL;DR

This paper explores the astronomical and cultural significance of Moai statues on Easter Island, linking them to celestial events and early settlement history through archaeoastronomical analysis.

Contribution

It provides new dating of the Moai statue to around 1691 A.D. and connects astronomical events with Rapanui cultural practices and early settlement insights.

Findings

Moai statue dated to ca. 1691 A.D.

Data on 1773 solar eclipse and 1682 Halley's Comet observations.

New insights into early Rapanui settlement.

Abstract

The role of the monument Moai a Mata Mea at Easter Island in the fertility cult has been explained. The own late statue that belonged to the ruling Miru group can provisionally be dated back to ca. 1691 A.D. on the backbone of the archaeoastronomical studies as well as the written sources. Some data about watchings of the total solar eclipse of September 16, 1773 A.D. and Halley's Comet of 1682 A.D. are presented as well. A new information on the early settlement of Rapanui is of our interest, too.