The Moai at Ahu Tongariki were  reconstructed by a large team of scientists and local experts (1992/5). A Japanese company financed part of the work.

The monument, in ruins before the arrival of Europeans explorers of the 18 century (15 statues down and broken), was completely destroyed by a tsunami originated in Chile (22 May, 1960) as the main consequence of the most important earthquake ever recorded in human history (9.5) not by a cyclone that would not have any effect on a megalithic structure.

The Moai at Ahu Tongariki were reconstructed by a large team of scientists and local experts (1992/5). A Japanese company financed part of the work. The monument, in ruins before the arrival of Europeans explorers of the 18 century (15 statues down and broken), was completely destroyed by a tsunami originated in Chile (22 May, 1960) as the main consequence of the most important earthquake ever recorded in human history (9.5) not by a cyclone that would not have any effect on a megalithic structure.
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