Arsonist Damages Sacred Maoi Statues on Easter Island

“The damage caused by the fire can’t be undone.”

Art
12.7K 14 Comments

It hasn’t been the greatest week when it comes to preserving ancient art. On Wednesday, an American tourist erratically damaged two Roman busts at the Vatican Museums. Somewhat in the same vein, an arsonist on Monday lit a fire on Easter Island partially damaging several of the sacred statues that famously stand there.

Located 2,200 miles off the West Coast of South America, the Chilean territory is home to a dormant volcano, known as Rano Kau, as well as 900 sacred monolithic statues called Moai. The fire was deliberately set by an unidentified person around Rano Raraku volcano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which resulted in damage across 100 hectares of land.

In an interview with local news agency Radio Pauta, Mayor Pedro Edmunds Paoa called the blaze an act of arson. “The damage caused by the fire can’t be undone,” said Paoa. “The cracking of an original and emblematic stone cannot be recovered, no matter how many millions or euros or dollars are put into it.”

Easter Island will be closed to the public as authorities assess the situation.

Read Full Article

What to Read Next

First Look at Next Year's Nike KD 4 "Easter"
Footwear

First Look at Next Year's Nike KD 4 "Easter"

Originally released in 2012.

Stone Island Goes Ghost on New FW24 Garments
Fashion

Stone Island Goes Ghost on New FW24 Garments

Presenting a new range of Stone Island Ghost jacketing and other monochromatic outerwear – including its New Balance 991v2 “Ghost” collab.

Jalen Green and Giggs Front Stone Island's New Mussola Gommata Coat Campaign
Fashion

Jalen Green and Giggs Front Stone Island's New Mussola Gommata Coat Campaign

The Italian label’s latest outerwear pieces are made with a proprietary textile that laminates cotton muslin with a polyurethane film.


Liam Gallagher Stars in Stone Island’s “Community as a Form of Research” Project
Fashion

Liam Gallagher Stars in Stone Island’s “Community as a Form of Research” Project

Showcasing the iconic Glazed Silk Light from the archives.

Fashion Month Gone Wild: A Look Back at All the Biggest Moments From the Runways of New York, London, Milan and Paris
Fashion 

Fashion Month Gone Wild: A Look Back at All the Biggest Moments From the Runways of New York, London, Milan and Paris

Including everything from Ye’s YEEZY controversy to Rhuigi’s Bally debut.

Sam McKinniss Reflects on Celebrity in New Almine Rech Exhibition
Art

Sam McKinniss Reflects on Celebrity in New Almine Rech Exhibition

Exploring the images that have shaped contemporary culture.

adidas Forum '84 Low Gets Fitted With Tar Heel-Friendly Colors
Footwear

adidas Forum '84 Low Gets Fitted With Tar Heel-Friendly Colors

Golden yellow trim pokes out on the uppers to give the kicks an aged look.

Ye's Antics Dominate This Week's Top Fashion News
Fashion

Ye's Antics Dominate This Week's Top Fashion News

Stay up to date on the latest industry headlines.

Check Out the Best Shows From Fashion Month SS23
Fashion 

Check Out the Best Shows From Fashion Month SS23

Featuring Ferragamo, Jil Sander, LOEWE, Balenciaga and more. 


WILLOW Drops Hard-Rocking New Album '&ltCopingMechanism&gt'
Music

WILLOW Drops Hard-Rocking New Album '<CopingMechanism>'

Ahead of her musical guest appearance on Friday’s ‘Saturday Night Live.’

Nike Reveals an Exclusive DT96-Inspired Cleat PE for Kyler Murray
Footwear

Nike Reveals an Exclusive DT96-Inspired Cleat PE for Kyler Murray

Paying homage to the quarterback’s love for baseball and football.

Jazmine Sullivan Shares Courageous Anthem “Stand Up” From ’TILL’ Soundtrack
Music

Jazmine Sullivan Shares Courageous Anthem “Stand Up” From ’TILL’ Soundtrack

‘TILL’ premieres in select U.S. theaters next week.

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Roddy Ricch Join Forces for New Track “B.R.O.”
Music

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Roddy Ricch Join Forces for New Track “B.R.O.”

Rolling out Boogie’s new LP ‘Me Vs. Myself.’

Shades of Off-White Cover the adidas Rovermule Adventure
Footwear

Shades of Off-White Cover the adidas Rovermule Adventure

The new silhouette finds itself in another monochromatic look.

More ▾