Easter Island

   This island belongs to Chile, and is located in the South Pacific Ocean about 3,700 kilometers (2,300 miles) west of Chile. It was given its name by a Dutch explorer who landed on the island on Easter Day. This island is archaeologically important because it is the richest site of megaliths of the Pacific island groups, and the only source of writing used in Polynesia. Little is known about the people who carved the megaliths and created the wooden tablets covered with picture writing. One theory is that, about 18 centuries ago, South Americans inhabited the island. Then Polynesians from the Marguesas Islands arrived in canoes, killed the inhabitants, and settled on the island. Some archeologists believe that the megaliths were already in place when the Polynesians arrived. The statues are placed around the island, or on burial platforms called Ahus. Each Ahu usually has four to six statues standing on top of it. The statues are carved of tuff, a soft volcanic rock, and usually are between 3 and 12 meters (10 and 40 feet) tall. About 100 of the original 600 statues are still standing. Also called Rapa Nui.