A Bird's Eye View

A more pragmatic analysis indicates the location of the Moai and Ahu could have played a significant role in connecting the dots between a Westward migration and influence from the Eastern Pacific. An idea and ability to travel methodically which has been traditionally downplayed and at times blatantly disregarded by a majority of the academic community of the past who perpetuated the concept of a singular Eastward movement through Polynesia. Nonetheless, mounting evidence including genetic findings surrounding many new discoveries suggests multiple migrations throughout the Polynesian region and well beyond into neighboring islands as well as larger continents. At Rapa Nui (Easter Island) an aerial view or “eye from the sky” reveals the coastal Ahu and Moai are curiously placed in a fashion much resembling a type of triangular compass with the center point and highest landmark being the Volcano Terevaka located in the center. Although unevenly spaced and named rather than numbered, they do provide a sense of certain direction when combined with geographical features of the island. From a navigational perspective, it is easy to ascertain how Rapa Nui (Easter Island) would naturally become a center or hub for organized movement between the Americas and Western Polynesia.