Ahu Tongariki is one of the most impressive and iconic archaeological sites on Easter Island (Rapa Nui), located in the Pacific Ocean. This monumental platform houses 15 majestic Moai, the famous stone statues carved by the indigenous Rapa Nui people. These statues, varying in height and weight, were originally made around 1400-1600 AD and symbolise ancestors or important figures in the island's history.
The Ahu, the platform on which the Moai stand, was restored in the 20th century after a devastating tsunami in 1960 toppled and severely damaged the statues. The restoration, completed in the 1990s by a collaboration between the Chilean government and Japanese experts, has restored Ahu Tongariki to its full glory, giving visitors a glimpse of Rapa Nui's rich culture and history.
Ahu Tongariki is located on the southeastern coast of Easter Island, with the Moai overlooking the ocean and the nearby volcano Rano Raraku, where most of the Moai were carved. It is a popular tourist destination and is often photographed during sunrise, when the statues form silhouettes against the rising sun. Ahu Tongariki remains a powerful symbol of Easter Island's mysterious and enchanting history, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.
My name is Sebastiaan Bergacker and I was born in 1982. Travel and photography are my greatest passions in life. I feel an irresistible urge to discover new destinations, explore distant lands and capture the world through my lens.
Travelling gives me a sense of freedom and adventure. It takes..
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