Move the Moai (125K) Shockwave required Move the Moai originally appeared on Secrets of Easter Island According to a survey by archeologist Jo Anne Van Tilburg, the Easter Islanders successfully transported 288 moai statues to various ahu platforms around the island. We're only proposing that you move one, a virtual one at that. But it's heavy (moais average 14 tons in weight), and the workers you'll employ have a limited stock of energy and must be fed sweet potatoes (an island staple) to maintain their strength. You'll want to use some of those sweet potatoes to grease the track beneath your moai, but be sure to leave enough for your hungry laborers. Ready to move a moai? Then let's proceed. Play "Move the Moai" Shockwave (125K) Free Shockwave plugin required. Vince Lee's Uphill Battle | NOVA Moves a Megalith | How Big Were They? Move the Moai | Explore Easter Island | Secrets of Easter Island | Resources | Transcript Medieval Siege | Pharaoh's Obelisk | Easter Island | Roman Bath | China Bridge | Site Map Editor's Picks | Previous Sites | Join Us/E-mail | TV/Web Schedule About NOVA | Teachers | Site Map | Shop | Jobs | Search | To print PBS Online | NOVA Online | WGBH © | Updated November 2000