Tahai, Archaeological site in Rapa Nui, Chile
Tahai is a complex of ceremonial platforms along the coast that displays restored moai statues and different types of structures built over time. The site stretches for several hundred meters and contains three main platforms with varying architectural designs and stone arrangements.
The site was settled around the 8th century and served as a major religious and political center for the early island community. The platforms were built and modified over many generations, showing how construction practices changed over time.
The ceremonial platforms show different construction styles that reveal how people organized their religious life on the island. Walking through the site, you can see how the structures faced inland toward the settlement, suggesting they were central gathering places for the community.
The site sits just outside the village of Hanga Roa and is easy to reach on foot, with national park entry required. The ground is flat and open with little shade, so bring sun protection and water for your visit.
One of the moai statues here has been given restored eyes made from modern material, showing what these figures originally looked like when new. This is the only statue on the island that has been restored in this way.
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