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What animals and human figures appear in Easter Island rock carvings?
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Easter Island
Sculptures cut from volcanic rock, Easter Island.
Easter Island features a significant collection of rock art engraved onto exposed surfaces, as well as paintings found within caves and on the interior walls of stone houses.
The petroglyphs and paintings depict a variety of figures, including:
- Human figures: The most prominent human-related carvings are bird-headed men, which are associated with the island's historical bird cult. Other human figures are depicted with the heads of lizards.
- Animals: The rock carvings frequently feature outlines of turtles and fish.
- Other subjects: In addition to these figures, the rock art includes representations of birds and dance paddles.1