Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum
Museo Antropológico P. Sebastián Englert
The island's only museum, displaying a female moai, original coral moai eyes and replicas of Rongorongo tablets.
The museum is named after German priest Sebastián Englert, who preached on the island and studied Rapa Nui culture for many years. It is located beside the Tahai archaeological complex. The exhibits begin with the island's geology and the Polynesian voyaging migrations, and cover moai carving and transport, the birdman cult, woodcarvings and daily utensils. Highlights include the only female moai, the original white coral moai eye discovered at Anakena in 1978, and replicas of the still-undeciphered Rongorongo wooden tablets. Admission is low-cost or free (confirm on site), and the museum is closed on Mondays. It is a good place to build background knowledge before visiting the archaeological sites.
Opening hours
Approx. 9:30 am–5:30 pm, closed Mondays (check on site)
Nearby sights
- Ahu Tahai
- Hanga Roa
- Puna Pau
- Ana Kakenga (Two Windows Cave)
- Ahu Huri a Urenga
- Ana Kai Tangata
- Ana Te Pahu
- Ahu Akivi