orongo

Above The rocks of the sacred precinct Mata Ngarahu are densely carved with birdman motifs in bas relief. left Many stylised faces were carved at Orongo; some, as seen here, are thought to represent the chief god Makemake.

World Archaeology
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Bringing back the Birdman: restoring colour to the sacred cult of Easter Island

Early visitors to Easter Island recorded strange designs of a mysterious being. Now, using the latest technology and ancient records, Paul Horley, Georgia Lee, and Paul Bahn have restored glorious colour to the sacred site of Orongo, home of the mystical birdman.