Overview
- The PLOS ONE study releases a centimeter-scale, publicly accessible 3D reconstruction of Rano Raraku built from roughly 20,000 drone photographs taken in 2023–2024.
- Researchers catalogued 341 trenches, 133 removal voids and five bollards, identifying three quarrying procedures and discrete work zones.
- The spatial and stylistic patterning supports decentralized production by lineage groups rather than centralized islandwide management.
- Complementary field trials by Carl Lipo show an 18-person team could “walk” a 4.35-ton replica 100 meters in 40 minutes, implying typical crews of 20–50.
- Some archaeologists urge caution, noting probable inter-clan collaboration and calling for broader corroboration before firm conclusions.