Perched on the golden sands of Anakena, the one beach on Rapa Nui with real palm trees, Ahu Nau Nau feels like a secret the island decided to keep. This is no ordinary burial platform. While other ahu crumbled, Nau Nau’s seven majestic moai stood tall, partially sheltered for centuries by the very dunes that threatened to swallow them. The real magic, however, lies in what was hidden in the earth at their feet. Excavations here unearthed a treasure trove not of gold, but of profound artistry: delicate coral and red scoria eyes that once gazed inland, and the only known moai with intricately carved petroglyphs on their backs—maritime symbols of tuna and komari (vulva forms) hinting at a deep connection to fertility and the sea.
The burials themselves whisper of elite status. The skeletons found within the platform were accompanied by exquisite ornaments—a pendant of a graceful mermaid, fishhooks crafted from precious pearl shell. It suggests this was a sacred sepulcher for the ariki mau, the paramount chiefs, their bones laid to rest in the shadow of their deified ancestors. At Nau Nau, you don't just see statues; you feel the presence of a complex society that, even in this remote corner of the world, celebrated power, lineage, and beauty with breathtaking skill.
Who Built Ahu Nau Nau burials?
The Builders of Ahu Nau Nau
Ahu Nau Nau was built by the Rapa Nui people, the Polynesian inhabitants of Easter Island (Rapa Nui). This culture is renowned for its monumental architecture, most famously the moai (stone statues). The construction of ahu (ceremonial platforms) and the carving, transport, and erection of moai were central to their religious and social practices, likely honoring deified ancestors and powerful chiefs.
Purpose of the Ahu Nau Nau Burials
The Ahu Nau Nau platform served as a sacred burial site for high-ranking individuals, such as chiefs and priests. The moai placed upon the ahu were believed to represent ancestral figures whose supernatural power (mana) could protect and benefit the community. The site also functioned as a ceremonial center for rituals and community gatherings.
Other Structures Built by the Rapa Nui
The Rapa Nui constructed numerous ahu and moai complexes across the island. From the provided list, other notable burial platforms built by the same culture include:
These sites, along with Ahu Nau Nau, are prime examples of Rapa Nui burial platforms, a distinct architectural tradition of the island.
