Te Pito Kura is the last important archaeological site on the coast before reaching Ovahe, and brings together two of Rapa Nui’s most extraordinary features in one place: Moai o Paro, the largest statue ever raised on an ahu, and Te Pito te Henua, the legendary stone sphere known as the navel of the world, said to have been brought by King Hotu Matu’a from Hiva and shown to possess scientifically measurable magnetic properties.
Moai o Paro: The Fallen Giant of Te Pito Kura
Ahu Te Pito Kura is a platform almost 100 metres (328 feet) long, formed of great blocks of basaltic rock, worked and adjusted with great artistry to support a single moai called Moai o Paro, which at 9.45 metres (31 feet) in height was the largest ever raised on an ahu, not counting its Pukao headdress. Around 1840, this colossus was thrown down during tribal conflicts. Around the site, ruins of ancient human settlements can still be discerned.
Te Pito te Henua: The Navel of the World with Real Magnetism
To the western side of Te Pito Kura stands the enigmatic stone sphere known as Te Pito te Henua, the navel of the world. According to legend, it was brought by the legendary King Hotu Matu’a from his homeland of Hiva. Today people assure that this sphere, slightly flattened at the poles and about 48 centimetres (19 inches) high, projects from within it the powerful force of Mana — and the truth is that it does show measurable alterations in the magnetic field. According to the scientific analysis published by moeVarua, the stone reaches a magnetic susceptibility of 29.60 x 10³ SI, one of the highest values recorded on the island, already described by the William J. Thomson expedition of 1886.
Frequently Asked Questions about Te Pito Kura
What is Moai o Paro?
Moai o Paro is the largest statue ever successfully raised on an ahu on Rapa Nui, standing 9.45 metres tall not counting its Pukao headdress. It stood at Ahu Te Pito Kura until it was thrown down around 1840 during tribal conflicts, and lies fallen on the same spot today.
What is Te Pito te Henua, the navel of the world?
A stone sphere about 48 centimetres tall located beside Ahu Te Pito Kura. According to legend, it was brought by King Hotu Matu’a from his homeland of Hiva. The stone has genuine, measurable magnetic properties, which for centuries fed the belief that it concentrates Mana, the ancestral spiritual force.
Is the magnetism of the Te Pito Kura stone real?
Yes. The stone shows a magnetic susceptibility of 29.60 x 10³ SI, one of the highest values measured on Rapa Nui, according to the scientific analysis on the magnetism of Rapa Nui. This is due to ferromagnetic elements in the rock, a common geological phenomenon on volcanic islands, already documented by the William J. Thomson expedition of 1886.
Where is Te Pito Kura located?
Te Pito Kura is located on the eastern coast of the island, the last important archaeological site before reaching Ovahe beach. It forms part of the standard east-side circuit, alongside Ahu Tongariki and Rano Raraku.