Fig 1.
Geographic context of Rapa Nui.
Map of Rapa Nui with Maunga Eo and Rano Raraku quarry indicated. (Inset) Location of Rapa Nui in the eastern Pacific Ocean highlighting its extreme isolation.
Fig 2.
Three-dimensional model of Rano Raraku quarry produced through Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry.
This comprehensive digital documentation, derived from 11,686 UAV images, reveals the complex spatial organization of production activities distributed across multiple workshop areas.
Fig 3.
Production technique revealed through 3D modeling.
Unfinished moai attached to bedrock by “keels” along their backs demonstrate how carvers worked underneath from both sides until figures were separated from the source material. This production stage, difficult to document through traditional methods, is visible in the 3D model.
Fig 4.
Engineering infrastructure supporting decentralized production.
Pu makari features (carved holes) and anchor stones near the summit of Maunga Eo facilitated the movement of statues by small work groups, eliminating the need for centralized coordination of large labor forces.
Fig 5.
Artistic variation within standardized forms.
Female moai on the upper slopes of Rano Raraku demonstrate how distinct workshop areas maintained some stylistic autonomy while adhering to general design conventions, consistent with distributed production by semi-autonomous groups.
Table 1.
Features identified at Rano Raraku. A comprehensive inventory of archaeological features revealed through 3D modeling, showing the diversity and quantity of production elements across 30 distinct quarrying foci. This quantification demonstrates the distributed nature of moai production.
Fig 6.
Previously undocumented production area.
Newly identified trenches on the southeast ridgeline, revealed through comprehensive 3D mapping, extend the known distribution of quarrying activity.
Fig 7.
Bollard feature, southeast slope.
Table 2.
Quarrying methods employed at Rano Raraku. Three distinct carving approaches were identified across the quarry, indicating that autonomous production groups adapted to local conditions rather than standardized procedures imposed by centralized management.
Fig 8.
Diverse production methods were identified across workshop areas.
Three distinct carving approaches: (Left) Face-first method, where facial features are outlined before the body; (Middle) Block method, where complete outlines are created on all sides; (Right) Sideways method for vertical cliff faces. This methodological diversity suggests adaptation by autonomous production groups.
Fig 9.
Boundary identification between workshop areas.
High-resolution 3D modeling enables precise delineation of production zones, revealing patterns of spatial organization that support models of decentralized rather than hierarchical production.
Fig 10.
Network of 30 distinct quarrying foci across Rano Raraku.
Yellow polygons outline the distribution of separate workshop areas, each containing redundant sets of production features. This pattern supports hypotheses of the decentralized sociopolitical organization of moai production.