Saving Easter Island

[mol]

A TEAM of conservationists is working on a ‘miracle cure’ to save the famous giant heads of Easter Island from crumbling away.

Experts from Germany are investigating the use of a chemical to stabilise the stone monoliths, which have become severely eroded.

The Moai stone heads with their famous long faces and large noses were carved out of rock that was originally volcanic ash by the island’s inhabitants between 1100 and 1650.

They are one of the main sources of income for the island, known as Rapa Nui, drawing in more than 20,000 tourists a year and an annual revenue of more than £1.5m.

The damage is being caused by acid rain, souvenir hunters and the effects of exposure over hundreds of years. The rate of decay is increasing faster than ever, and experts have warned that unless something is done soon they will disappear.

Francesco Di Castri, former deputy director of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), said: "Something must be done immediately. If the Moai are destroyed, the island will be destroyed, because without tourism this island is nothing."

More:
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=265772004

[mucgwyrt]

We could make them giant umbrellas with polkadots 8)

[Nighthawk]

Another cool finding.... (and, I like the umbrellas idea)

[SylverStar]

Oh I did not know that there was so much erosion. *feels sad* One of my goals/dreams is to go horseback riding on Easter Island all by myself.

[Mythrel]

that sucks... if they erode how am I supposed to prove that aliens from outer space put them there??? geesh... :lol:

[Mythrel]

on a serious note, that does stink... that are one of the few unexplained mysteries of the world.. I'd hate to see them crumble to dust..

[Yasmine Galenorn]

A TEAM of conservationists is working on a ‘miracle cure’ to save the famous giant heads of Easter Island from crumbling away.

Experts from Germany are investigating the use of a chemical to stabilise the stone monoliths, which have become severely eroded.

The Moai stone heads with their famous long faces and large noses were carved out of rock that was originally volcanic ash by the island’s inhabitants between 1100 and 1650.

They are one of the main sources of income for the island, known as Rapa Nui, drawing in more than 20,000 tourists a year and an annual revenue of more than £1.5m.

The damage is being caused by acid rain, souvenir hunters and the effects of exposure over hundreds of years. The rate of decay is increasing faster than ever, and experts have warned that unless something is done soon they will disappear.

Francesco Di Castri, former deputy director of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), said: "Something must be done immediately. If the Moai are destroyed, the island will be destroyed, because without tourism this island is nothing."

More:
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=265772004

This is a problem that is happening to ancient monuments worldwide. The Sphinx, for one, was given a major facelift because it was eroding away so fast. I believe the work was finished in 1997 or 1998 on it...but who knows how long it will help due to all the contaminants in the air?

http://www.touregypt.net/press55.htm

Of course, here's hoping we can not only restore all these wonders, but that we can then prevent some idiot from blowing them up for religious or political reasons.

Yasmine :colorful:

[Boogins]

The joys of world-wide acid rain...

I heard they'd discovered a chamber inside the Sphinx about five years ago, but haven't heard if anybody went inside or what they found there--in face, I haven't heard anything since. Does anyone know whats's happening there?

[Yasmine Galenorn]

The joys of world-wide acid rain...

I heard they'd discovered a chamber inside the Sphinx about five years ago, but haven't heard if anybody went inside or what they found there--in face, I haven't heard anything since. Does anyone know whats's happening there?

I'm not sure, but found this (from last year) and it's pretty interesting:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/09/0910_020913_egypt_1.html

Yas :colorful:

[Boogins]

Now, that's interesting... "Something important is hidden in there," the gentleman says; no kidding!