Active · Rapa Nui (Easter Island) · National Science Foundation, 2023–2026
Explaining the Destruction of Monumental Architecture
Why did people in the past destroy monumental architecture? Previous research has focused on how monuments were built, with far less attention to the cause, or causes, of their damage and demolition. That leaves us with a lopsided view of the past. On Rapa Nui, hundreds of massive statues (moai) that once stood on platforms now lie toppled. Many believe they were pulled down by people during a period of conflict; others have suggested neglect, or strong earthquakes.
The project has two aims. The first is to build a timeline of when statues fell by measuring how far their tuff, a stone made of compacted volcanic ash, has weathered since they hit the ground. We use ultrasound instruments originally developed by engineers to test concrete, which lets us take readings without damaging the stone, alongside controlled weathering experiments in the lab. The fieldwork is carried out with the Terevaka Archaeological Outreach program, which gives local high school students hands-on experience in conservation and research.
The second aim is to test the possible causes of toppling. Using archaeoseismology, computer simulations, and earthquake records specific to Rapa Nui, we model how a standing moai behaves in a strong earthquake and compare that with the physical evidence for deliberate destruction and neglect.