pukao

The term "pukao" refers to the topknots or hats that were placed on the heads of the giant stone statues, known as moai, on Easter Island. These moai are large, monolithic sculptures that are characteristic of the island's ancient civilization. The pukao were carved from red tuff, a porous volcanic rock, and were quarried from a separate volcano called Puna Pau.1

The moai themselves were carved from a different type of tuff found in the crater of the volcano Rano Raraku. These statues, which can range from 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 meters) tall, were erected on platforms called ahus and typically faced inland, representing deified important personalities. The pukao, some weighing as much as 10 tons, were balanced on the heads of these statues, adding to their imposing stature. The practice of carving and erecting these statues, along with their pukao, represents a significant achievement in ancient sculpture and engineering.1