Moai Paro (30-220-001) is the tallest (989 cm) statue ever successfully raised upright on a ceremonial platform. It weighs approximately 82 m tons and wore a red scoria pukao (30-220-004) that added another 11-12 m tons of weight to the statue. Previously investigated by C. Smith and W. Mulloy, we documented it first in 1984 and 1991.

In an effort to better understand Moai Paro in the context of Ahu Te Pito Kura and its natural environs, in 1999 and 2000-2002 we digitally reconstructed the statue using photographs, measurements and detailed drawings. On-site documentation required for this work was carried out by Cristián Arévalo Pakarati.

PHOTOS: (top) Moai Paro in situ. (bottom) Pukao (topknot) belonging to Moai Paro. ©2002 EISP/JVT/Photos: J. Van Tilburg.

DRAWING: Reconstruction diagram of Moai Paro. ©2000 EISP/JVT/Drawing: Cristián Arévalo Pakarati.

SKETCH: Working diagram detailing specific measuemrents of Moai Paro. ©1999 EISP/JVT/Sketch: Cristián Arévalo Pakarati.

FILM STILLS: Images captured from a computer animation showing the 360° view of Moai Paro being re-erected onto its ahu. ©2002 EISP/JVT/Animation: Arnold Animations.

All text and images copyright Easter Island Statue Project/Jo Anne Van Tilburg (EISP/JVT). No reproduction without written authorization.