Ahu Akivi

Ahu Akivi

At Ahu Akivi, the moai face the ocean. Although the platform is clearly visible, the overgrown grass obscures the pattern of the sloping pavement.
27°6′54″S 109°23′42″W / 27.11500°S 109.39500°W / -27.11500; -109.39500
Location	Easter Island
Designer	Rapanui people
Type	Sacred stone statues
Material	Volcanic rock
Length	70m
Height	16 ft
Beginning date	Originally 15th century
Completion date	Restored in 1960
Dedicated to	Make Make worship

Ahu Akivi is a particular sacred place on the Chilean island of Rapa Nui (or Easter Island), looking out towards the Pacific Ocean. The site has seven moai, all of equal shape and size, and is also known as a celestial observatory that was set up around the 16th century. The site is located inland, rather than along the coast. Moai statues were considered by the early people of Rapa Nui as their ancestors or Tupuna that were believed to be the reincarnation of important kings or leaders of their clans. The Moais were erected to protect and bring prosperity to their clan and village.^[1]

A particular feature of the seven identical moai statues is that they exactly face sunset during the Spring Equinox and have their backs to the sunrise during the Autumn Equinox. Such an astronomically precise feature is seen only at this location on the island.^[1]