Overview:

: Rano Raraku is an ancient volcanic crater located on Easter Island in Chile. It is famous for containing over 600 enormous moai statues, dating back to the 13th century A.D. The crater is situated in a cliff just off the coast of the island, and is usually accessed by a footpath. It is known for its variety of archaeological sites, featuring some of the most unique and interesting artifacts found to date. In addition, Rano Raraku provides a fascinating glimpse into Easter Island's past, as the crater is believed to have been the site of many important cultural and religious events in the early days of the island. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Chile
Prominent Features:

• The Moai: The Moai are symbolic statues of ancient Easter Island. These mysterious statues are found around the slopes of the volcanic crater Rano Raraku. The stone statues are carved out of volcanic rock and range in size from 4 to 33 feet tall. Among all of the Moai statues, the most famous is the bust of the Tuu Ē Te Henua. • Ahu Tongariki: This is the magnificent ahu that is located on the southern part of Rano Raraku. This monument is the largest platform in Easter Island, which featured 15 statues of Moai overlooking the landscape. Its construction is believed to have been completed around 1550 AD and today it is one of the most visited places in Easter Island. • Ahu Akivi: This is the only Moai platform that is found outside of Rano Raraku. The seven statues that were placed here were intended to represent the 7 explorers of the Stars or the Marae. The beliefs associated with this platform are strongly related to those of the Incans. • Ahu Akahanga: This is another important archaeological site located on Rano Raraku. The platform here bears twenty-four stone statues that have been placed in a line, turned to the west. This site is the only one of its kind in Easter Island. • Orongo Ceremonial Village: This is an important site located on the Rapu Nui National Park, located on Rano Raraku. This village is representative of the ancient culture and people of Easter Island and was built as part of their rituals and ceremonies. Here, visitors can find the traditional homes of the Birdman Cult and some petroglyphs. This national monument of Chile portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The history of Rano Raraku, also known as Easter Island, dates back thousands of years. For many centuries, the Polynesian people inhabited the island, and built the unique monolithic Moai statues that the island is now known for. The first European contact with Rano Raraku was with Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen in 1722, although it was not formally claimed by Chile until 1888. The island faced a period of colonization and exploitation, with much of its lands taken over for farming and livestock. In the mid-twentieth century, awareness of the island’s archaeological significance grew, and it gained national park status in 1995. This permanent protection allowed the moai to be restored and preserved, and numerous archaeological discoveries have since been made. Today, Rano Raraku is known as one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, with its thousands of moai providing a unique insight into Polynesian culture and a stark reminder of the consequences of European colonialism. You must visit one of these historical places in Chile on your Chile tour

Interesting facts:

1. Rano Raraku is the largest volcano on Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui. 2. The volcano is inactive and has been so for at least 1500 years. 3. Rano Raraku is famous for its impressive stone carvings, known as moai. The majority of the moai on the island can be found here. 4. Rano Raraku is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s home to 397 moai that have been identified and preserved. 5. The volcano is over a mile wide and is estimated to be nearly 400 feet deep. 6. The largest of the moai found at Rano Raraku stands almost 32 feet tall and weighs 83 tonnes. 7. The moai are all believed to have been carved between AD 1000 and 1500. 8. Rano Raraku is also the source of the volcanic lava that is used to make the red pigment pukao, which is found on some of the island’s moai. Visit one of the famous monuments of Chile with your friends and family.