# Who organised the carving and moving of the statues? · Easter Island moai > Three answers have been proposed. Many independent kin groups carved and moved statues, sharing a tradition but not a central authority. leads, with… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/easter-island-moai/questions/QST0CTG30K20GMV/who-organised-the-carving-and-moving-of-the-statues Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:21+00:00 --- **0** # Who organised the carving and moving of the statues? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [How were the moai moved from the quarry to the ahu?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/easter-island-moai/questions/QST0CTG303E013Y/how-were-the-moai-moved-from-the-quarry-to-the-ahu)·3 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: many independent kin groups carved and moved statues, sharing a tradition but not a central authority** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. Many independent kin groups carved and moved statues, sharing a tradition but not a central authority. leads, with evidence 2 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters A thousand statues imply sustained coordinated labour; whether it was centrally directed bears on the island's political history⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CTG2R9E0PWR/megalithic-statue-moai-production-on-rapa-nui-easter-island). ## Answers 3 [**Many independent kin groups carved and moved statues, sharing a tradition but not a central authority.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/easter-island-moai/answers/ANS0CTG36PC3NR5/many-independent-kin-groups-carved-and-moved-statues-sharing) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 2 for Most likely [**A paramount chief or priesthood directed statue production for the whole island.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/easter-island-moai/answers/ANS0CTG37DT3369/a-paramount-chief-or-priesthood-directed-statue-production) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 against Disputed [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/easter-island-moai/answers/ANS0CTG37XE4X4P/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible ## History 1. 2019[DiNapoli et al.: ahu are placed at the fresh-water seeps that each group depended on.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CTG2S0W5M2Y/rapa-nui-easter-island-monument-ahu-locations-explained-by)For: Many independent kin groups carved and moved statues, sharing a tradition but not a central authority. 1. 2025[Lipo et al. puts forward: many independent kin groups carved and moved statues, sharing a tradition but not a central authority.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CTG2R9E0PWR/megalithic-statue-moai-production-on-rapa-nui-easter-island) 1. 2025[Lipo et al. puts forward: a paramount chief or priesthood directed statue production for the whole island.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CTG2R9E0PWR/megalithic-statue-moai-production-on-rapa-nui-easter-island) 1. 2025[Lipo et al.: about 30 distinct carving areas with different techniques and exit routes in the Rano Raraku 3D model.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CTG2R9E0PWR/megalithic-statue-moai-production-on-rapa-nui-easter-island)For: Many independent kin groups carved and moved statues, sharing a tradition but not a central authority. 1. 2025[Lipo et al.: the quarry shows many independent areas, not one organisation.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CTG2R9E0PWR/megalithic-statue-moai-production-on-rapa-nui-easter-island)Against: A paramount chief or priesthood directed statue production for the whole island. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/easter-island-moai/questions/QST0CTG30K20GMV/who-organised-the-carving-and-moving-of-the-statues%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/easter-island-moai/questions/QST0CTG30K20GMV/who-organised-the-carving-and-moving-of-the-statues%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/easter-island-moai/questions/QST0CTG30K20GMV/who-organised-the-carving-and-moving-of-the-statues%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/easter-island-moai/questions/QST0CTG30K20GMV/who-organised-the-carving-and-moving-of-the-statues%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/easter-island-moai/questions/QST0CTG30K20GMV/who-organised-the-carving-and-moving-of-the-statues%23add-source) Where it fits Easter Island moai [**How were the moai moved from the quarry to the ahu?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/easter-island-moai/questions/QST0CTG303E013Y/how-were-the-moai-moved-from-the-quarry-to-the-ahu)Key question · most likely statues were moved upright, rocked forward with ropes by small teams along prepared roads **Who organised the carving and moving of the statues?** You're here · many independent kin groups carved and moved statues, sharing a tradition but not a central authority [ Ask a question under this one ]