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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Rapa Nui

7 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Rapa Nui, Chile

Updated April 18, 2024

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Unusual Attractions in Rapa Nui

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Explore Rapa Nui, Chile

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Geology 2
Rocks 2
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Rites And Rituals 2
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Stories About Rapa Nui

For years, the triathlon occurred on the lake of a volcano crater, but now takes place on the ocean.

The World’s Most Remote Triathlon Involves Bird Eggs, a Volcano, and Bananas

Tau’a Rapa Nui continues to fight for its place against shifting tides.
by Charis McGowan
All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

The Atlas Obscura Crossword: Beyond the Moai

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The Rongorongo tablets may be older than previously thought.

Mysterious Writing System From Easter Island May Be Completely Unique

New radiocarbon dating reveals astonishing insights.
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Wood artisan Benedicto Tuki Tepano holding a rongorongo tablet.

The Lost Language of Easter Island

A wooden fish could help linguists learn more about the writing system known as rongorongo.
by Shafik Meghji
A row of stone monoliths, or moai, on Ahu Tongariki in Rapa Nui.

Easter Island's Monoliths Made the Crops Grow

By quarrying rock for the statues, the people of Rapa Nui fertilized the soil.
by Reina Gattuso
Moai sculptures on Rapa Nui.

Norway Will Finally Return Thousands of Artifacts to Easter Island

Sculptures, weapons, and human skulls will soon go back to the South Pacific.
by Sabrina Imbler

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