Hoa Hakananai‘a stands nearly 8 feet tall.

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Who Owns History?

An explorer took a statue from an island in the Pacific Ocean more than 150 years ago. Some people on the island want it back.

November 18, 2024
By the editors of Scholastic News

As You Read, Think About: What are some benefits of ancient objects being in museums?

Jim McMahon/Mapman®

Last year, about 6 million people visited the British Museum in London, England. One of the most popular exhibits there is a stone statue called a moai (MOH-eye). It is from Easter Island, or Rapa Nui (RAH-puh NOO-ee). The small island in the Pacific Ocean is part of Chile, a country in South America. Easter Island is home to about 1,000 moai. The Rapa Nui people carved them between 400 and 900 years ago. 

Earlier this year, the British Museum’s Instagram account was flooded with comments calling for the moai to be returned to Easter Island. Many Rapa Nui say the statue belongs there. But others say it’s better off in the museum, where millions of people can see it and learn about the Rapa Nui.

“If you ask people here what they want, you won’t get 100 percent agreement,” Pedro Edmunds Paoa, the mayor of Rapa Nui, told The Telegraph. 

This situation is not unique. Museums around the globe face pressure to return artifacts to their homelands.

Last year, about 6 million people visited the British Museum in London, England. A popular exhibit there is a stone statue called a moai (MOH-eye). It is from Easter Island, or Rapa Nui (RAH-puh NOO-ee). The small island is in the Pacific Ocean. It is part of Chile, a South American country. Easter Island is home to about 1,000 moai. The Rapa Nui people carved them between 400 and 900 years ago. 

Earlier this year, the British Museum’s Instagram account was flooded with comments.  They called for the moai to be returned to Easter Island. Many Rapa Nui say the statue belongs there. But others say it’s better off in the museum. There, millions of people can see it and learn about the Rapa Nui.

“If you ask people here what they want, you won’t get 100 percent agreement,” Pedro Edmunds Paoa, the mayor of Rapa Nui, told The Telegraph. 

This situation is not unique. Museums around the world face pressure to return artifacts to their homelands.

A Special Statue

There are two moai at the British Museum. One is called Moai Hava. The other is known as Hoa Hakananai‘a (HOH-uh hah-kah-nah-NEYE-uh). 

Hoa Hakananai‘a is especially rare. It is one of only about 14 moai made of a volcanic rock called basalt. On its back are unusual carvings of figures with human bodies and bird beaks. Experts think they represent an important part of an ancient Rapa Nui religion. 

In 1868, the captain of a British ship removed Hoa Hakananai‘a from Rapa Nui. He is said to have made a deal with a Rapa Nui chief. The captain took the statue to England and gifted it to Queen Victoria. She gave it to the British Museum.

But many present-day Rapa Nui believe that the statue was stolen. To them, it is a sacred piece of the island’s history.

There are two moai at the British Museum. One is called Moai Hava. The other is known as Hoa Hakananai‘a (HOH-uh hah-kah-nah-NEYE-uh). 

Hoa Hakananai‘a is rare. It is one of only about 14 moai made of a volcanic rock called basalt. It has unusual carvings of figures with human bodies and bird beaks. Experts think they show an important part of an ancient Rapa Nui religion. 

In 1868, the captain of a British ship removed Hoa Hakananai‘a from Rapa Nui. Some say he made a deal with a Rapa Nui chief. The captain took the statue to England. He gifted it to Queen Victoria. She gave it to the British Museum.

But many Rapa Nui today believe that the statue was stolen. To them, it is a sacred piece of the island’s history.

Who Owns It?

Museums worldwide are filled with items that were taken from distant lands by explorers. Officials from some countries say the artifacts were removed unfairly—or even illegally.

Many museums argue that they take care of these fragile treasures. Museum officials also point out that they make the artifacts available to experts to study.

As for the moai, the British Museum offers the only chance most people will get to see these statues up close. Few travelers can make the journey to remote Easter Island. 

In 2018, Rapa Nui leaders and British Museum officials began meeting to discuss the future of the moai. Edmunds Paoa says the museum has since broken off talks. He thanks the museum for taking care of the moai, but says there’s more work to do. 

“We do want to reopen the conversation,” Edmunds Paoa said earlier this year. 

Museums around the world are filled with items taken from distant lands. Some officials say the items were removed unfairly or illegally.

Many museums argue that they take care of these fragile treasures. They also say they make the artifacts available to experts to study.

The British Museum offers the only chance most people will get to see the moai up close. Few travelers can visit remote Easter Island. 

In 2018, Rapa Nui leaders and British Museum officials began discussing the future of the moai. Edmunds Paoa says the museum has stopped the talks since then. He thanks the museum for taking care of the moai. But he says there’s more work to do. 

“We do want to reopen the conversation,” Edmunds Paoa said earlier this year.

Pieces of the Past

Here are some other artifacts that countries want museums to return.

Here are some other artifacts that countries want museums to return.

Shutterstock.com

Elgin Marbles

Taken From: Athens, Greece

Current Location: British Museum, London, England

Dispute: In 1801, a British official named Lord Elgin took dozens of marble sculptures from the Parthenon. The nearly 2,500-year-old temple is one of the world’s most famous sites. Elgin said he had permission, but Greek leaders say the statues were stolen.

Elgin Marbles

Taken From: Athens, Greece

Current Location: British Museum, London, England

Dispute: In 1801, a British official named Lord Elgin took dozens of marble sculptures from the Parthenon. The nearly 2,500-year-old temple is one of the world’s most famous sites. Elgin said he had permission, but Greek leaders say the statues were stolen.

Yana/Alamy Stock Photo

Statue of Nefertiti

Taken From: Egypt

Current Location: Neues Museum, Berlin, Germany

Dispute: In 1912, a German archaeologist discovered this sculpture of Queen Nefertiti, who ruled Egypt nearly 3,400 years ago. He had permission to take some items back to Germany. But for 100 years, Egyptian officials have claimed he hid this important discovery from them.

Statue of Nefertiti

Taken From: Egypt

Current Location: Neues Museum, Berlin, Germany

Dispute: In 1912, a German archaeologist discovered this sculpture of Queen Nefertiti, who ruled Egypt nearly 3,400 years ago. He had permission to take some items back to Germany. But for 100 years, Egyptian officials have claimed he hid this important discovery from them.

1. Why does the article say that the British Museum offers the only chance most people will get to see the moai up close?

2. According to the article, how did Hoa Hakananai‘a end up at the British Museum?

3. The article states that “museums around the globe face pressure to return artifacts to their homelands.” How does the sidebar, “Pieces of the Past,” support that claim?

1. Why does the article say that the British Museum offers the only chance most people will get to see the moai up close?

2. According to the article, how did Hoa Hakananai‘a end up at the British Museum?

3. The article states that “museums around the globe face pressure to return artifacts to their homelands.” How does the sidebar, “Pieces of the Past,” support that claim?

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