A society of Polynesian settlers first came to this island in 300 A.D., beginning an imaginative and unusual tradition of monument building. Though their origins are largely unknown and mysterious, the settlers, the Rapanui, as early as 400 A.D., began erecting monolithic stone statues called moai (often identified as "Easter Island heads"), carved from massive slabs of volcanic ash using stone chisels. In the Island's nearly 2,000-year history, the Rapanui have amassed a total of 887 moai (officially, more are likely buried); they are found all over the 63-square mile island. A prolific seafaring culture is beautifully preserved (and still observed) on this island in the South Pacific; it's not easy to get there, but it's a nice place to stay.
The Biggest Moai: The statue's name is "Paro" and it is a single-slab moai weighing 82 tons.