Aired
November 07, 2012
NOVA
NOVA
Mystery of Easter Island #S40E03
A remote, bleak speck of rock in the middle of the Pacific, Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, has mystified the world ever since the first Europeans arrived in 1722. How and why did the ancient islanders build and move nearly 900 giant statues or moai, weighing up to 86 tons? And how did they transform a presumed paradise into a treeless wasteland, bringing ruin upon their island and themselves? NOVA explores controversial recent claims that challenge decades of previous thinking about the islanders, who have been accused of everything from ecocide to cannibalism. Among the radical new theories is that the islanders used ropes to "walk" the statues upright, like moving a fridge. With the help of an accurate 15-ton replica statue, a NOVA team sets out to test this high-risk, seemingly unlikely theory—serving up plenty of action and surprises in this fresh investigation of one of the ancient world's most intriguing enigmas.
Episode 3 of Season 40 from NOVA — available to stream in HD on any device.
Comments & Discussions
Join the conversation
Sign in to leave a comment
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!
Recommended
Because you liked NOVA
The Donald Trump Show
The Donald Trump Show
Beauty and the Bester
Beauty and the Bester
NFL CLASSICS: AFTER FURTHER REVIEW
NFL CLASSICS: AFTER FURTHER REVIEW
The Brain with David Eagleman
The Brain with David Eagleman
The Tech Bro Murders
The Tech Bro Murders
Matchroom: The Greatest Showmen
Matchroom: The Greatest Showmen
Street Cops: Catching the Yobs
Street Cops: Catching the Yobs
Top Gun: The Next Generation
Top Gun: The Next Generation
Trump's Heist: The President Who Wouldn't Lose?
Trump's Heist: The President Who Wouldn't Lose?
50 Ways to Catch a Killer
50 Ways to Catch a Killer
Explore Content
Search for movies, TV shows, collections, manga, or people
Trending Now