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Easter Island Statue Project

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Kerry Lenzendorf
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« on: July 26, 2007, 11:32:35 pm »



Rano Raraku
Section C

En Español

Easter Island Statue Project
Quarry Survey 2002-2005

EISP Team
Dr. Jo Anne Van Tilburg, Director
Cristián Arévalo Pakarati, Co-Investigator

Dr. Peter Boniface, Surveyor
Matthew Bates, Surveyor

Alice Hom, EISP Database Manager
Gordon Hull, Computer Analyst
Debra Isaac, Graphic Artist
Alana Perlin, Graphic Artist
Bill White, Photographer
Cristián Silva Araki, Field Assistant
Susana Nahoe, Field Assistant

 

Nature of Our Work

Mapping: Global Positioning Survey (GPS) of Quarries in Section C, of prone, supine or lateral moai related to Section C, and of all standing moai in Rano Raraku interior

The specific goal of the survey in Section C was to map every statue or possible statue and each quarry found within its boundary; to map the orientations and tilt of all prone, supine, lateral statues in relationship to Section C; to map every standing statue in the interior, and to compile a contour map of the area showing the main topographical features.

We used two single-frequency Ashtec GPS receivers, providing centimeter level accuracy. The survey was based on an existing GPS station approximately 10 km west of the site. This station was set up by NASA in 1998 and placed our survey on the GPS datum WGS 84.

Four base stations were established in Rano Raraku on the south side of the volcano and were marked by steel pegs placed level with the ground. These were covered by grass and were placed away from the main path so that they would not be visible or dangerous to tourists or others. Another three points were established in the working area "C" and were marked by wooden pegs, also flush with the ground and away from the path. All pegs were left in place; we will use them during the remaining of the survey work, and then they will be removed.


Peter and Cristián surveying in Rano Raraku.
© 2003 EISP/JVT/Photo: A. Perlin

The survey was placed on the UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) projection zone 12 - the same projection as was used by the previous survey. Thus, we will provide consistent data. There is, however, a significant difference between the 1978 map (cited above) and our survey. Our map is based on a modern Global Positioning Survey (GPS) using the new WGS 84 figure of the earth.

The positions of all moai in area "C," as well as all of those standing outside of it, were surveyed giving a latitude, longitude and elevation above sea level. The attitude of the statues was also recorded - the direction the statue faced, the forward slope and the sideways/lateral slope. Points were surveyed on the quarries sufficient to show the outline of the quarries and other detail, including stepped surfaces, canals, taheta and other features that are clear evidence of carving techniques, methods and quarry use.


Bill and Cristián surveying a high papa.
© 2003 EISP/JVT/Photo: A. Perlin

Detail Map

In addition to our survey map, described above, we have created a hand drawn detail map of each quarry and statue located in Section C. This map, which contains on it the survey reference points, will be used to illustrate specific archaeological and formal details of quarries and statues, and will serve as the reference guide for the computerized development using CAD of the GPS survey map described above.


Detail of Cristián’s sketch map, drawn in the field during the survey.
© 2002-2004 EISP/JVT/Sketch: C. Arévalo P.

Photography and Metric Documentation

In 1983, 1984 and 1989 we accomplished standard, black and white photography of all standing and fallen statues in the interior and exterior of Rano Raraku. These photographs and negatives are contained in scanned computer files, along with historical photographs, excavation records, measurements and other details. During this field season, we took additional color slides of each statue on the interior slopes, as well as details of rock art superimposed on statues and quarries. Further, each new statue found in situ and surveyed in Section C was drawn, measured and photographed.

 
Susana measuring a statue.
© 2003 EISP/JVT/Photo: A. Perlin

Results

Previous investigation (Cristino et al. 1981; Van Tilburg and Vargas 1998) had suggested the probable presence of 30 to 35 statues in Section C. Our map shows a total of 54 features, of which 10 are moai heads; 18 are moai; 2 are torsos; 13 are shaped blocks in the process of becoming moai; 4 are possible moai; 3 are possible heads, and 2 are questionable features that may be moai. The number of statues in Section D is estimated to be about 60. The total number of features, however, is not known. The result of this work to date is a clearer understanding of quarry methods, techniques and strategies, as well as a more complete record of the existing features. It is probable, as well, that the final number of statues will exceed the previous estimate.

Conservation Value of the Work

The Rapa Nui Statue Project is the world’s largest and most fully detailed archive of moai descriptive data. It spans a time frame of 20 years and includes over10, 000 visual images; 4,000 graphic images; 46,000 metrics and hundreds of pages of fieldnotes, drawings and maps. All data are filed on CD-ROM and stored in archival conditions at Van Tilburg’s UCLA research unit. Comparative analyses illustrate that all moai have been subjected to environmental damage. Every effort to restore, conserve or reconstruct moai, in or out of Rano Raraku, requires or depends upon these data. We have made detailed records, both visual and narrative, of the stone condition in the interior. It is noteworthy that grass and other vegetation provide a significant hazard to moai integrity.


Detail of lichen growth on the back of a moai.
© 2004 EISP/JVT/Photo: A. Hom

http://ioa.ucla.edu/eisp/history/rrmap/mapdemo/rrmap_C_fs.htm
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