Moai, sacred ancestor figures of Rapa Nui

Rapa Nui moai cast in the Pacific Galleries of the American Museum of Natural History, NYC, made during the 1934-45 AMNH expedition to Rapa Nui
A conversation between Dr. Jenny Newell (Research Associate, AMNH, and Curator, Climate Change at the Australian Museum) and Dr. Beth Harris

[@Virolaxion]

The latest Night at the Museum film came out 8 years ago, so hardly "recent", but then again the people at smarthistory surely think on a vaster scale of time than most

[@2002yannick1]

lol. i thought the same thing

[@fanfanfare]

I saw this cast back in 2010. There was a couple in front of me that definitely only visited this statue because of the movie. They took the obligatory selfie. Then I lightly tapped the statue with my knuckle (I know you shouldn't touch stuff in museums, but I knew it wasn't a real stone statue) , creating a loud plastic-y hollow sound. The look on that couple's face, priceless. Everything they ever believed in, shattered.

[@catlvr-kg9ol]

I’m always very appreciative when you guys spend time talking about colonization and it’s negative impacts

[@mercoledi_falco]

Today, I'm very happy to hear the name “Toshio Asaeda(朝枝 利男)” who was a photographer, painter and Curator. As a fellow Japanese, I'm really proud of him.

[@deathdoor]

There's a "Fall of Civilizations" episode about Rapa Nui, go listen/watch it!

[@decemberkat]

It is absolutely amazing 👏

[@blaisepotvien2785]

This channel blows my mind every time

[@guest_informant]

I always imagined them staring out to sea, contemplating the vastness of the ocean but then, years later, I think I read that they face inland. Is that true?

[@guest_informant]

2:30 Apparently, yes it is. Well that changes the whole way I feel about them. Backs to the world?!

[@polly8554]

@@guest_informant when i visited back in 2013 natives explained to us that they were protecting the people of the island from the outside dangers. that's why they faced the island instead of the ocean.

[@guest_informant]

​@@polly8554 Ok. That makes sense. Thanks.

[@guest_informant]

@@polly8554 I once went to see the Moai at the British Museum. After the visit I fell off my bike on the road outside. There was no-one around. I've been very suspicious of them ever since :-) :-) :-)

[@dontmatterrr]

@@polly8554 when you protect someone you usually would have them behind you. Not infront of you. You face your enemy...not turn your back on them.

[@azaraniichan]

🗿🗿🗿🗿

[@sayuri933]

守愛