Remote-Island Statues Carry a Maritime Map in Their Crowns

A renewed digital scan of Easter Island’s famous moai spotted maritime engravings in crowns, suggesting precise early navigation knowledge.

Experts plan re-dating of associated wooden layers to anchor the sequence.

Engravings map an oceanic trade cycle thought to postdate the island’s abandonment by centuries.

The isolated island’s genius stretches from carving stone to charting oceans, condensing human genius into one piece.