海边石雕像

There has been much controversy and confusion concerning the origins of the Easter Islanders. Thor Heyerdahl proposed that the people who built the statues were of Peruvian descent, due to a similarity between Rapa Nui and Incan stonework. Some have suggested that Easter Island is the remnant of a lost continent, or the result of an extra-terrestrial influence . Archaeological evidence, however, indicates discovery of the island by Polynesians at about 400 AD - led, according to legend, by Hotu Matua. Upon their arrival, an impressive and enigmatic culture began to develop. In addition to the statues, the islanders possessed the Rongorongo script; the only written language in Oceania. The island is also home to many petroglyphs (rock carvings), as well as traditional wood carvings, tapa (barkcloth) crafts, tattooing, string figures, dance and music.

巨型石雕像

据说这些雕像原来都是背海而立，位于圆形的平台上，但由于年代久远，石像大部分已东倒西歪，散落于荒原之中了，有的还有明显被破坏的痕迹。据考证，这些雕像都是本地古代人制作的，但最令人难以理解的是，岛上的人们为什么要雕刻这些巨型石像？史学家们一直在争论不休，有人认为是与墓葬有关，因为曾经在石像下面的神龛里发现过人的尸骨；还有人认为是与当地人的祭祀活动有关，放置石像的平台就是祭祀的圣台。另外，古代人们是如何利用简单的工具将这样巨大而笨重的石像搬运的呢？岛上的传说声称它们是“自己走来的”，但经研究，由于雕像重心很低，所以十几个人就可以把它举起并迅速移动。这种巨大的石雕像在其他岛上也有发现，但在复活节岛上最多。作为人类最初的艺术活动，这些雕像进一步证明了艺术与生产和对自然的神秘崇拜有着十分密切的关系，这是世界各民族史前文化的共同特征。

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