{"id":5561,"date":"2013-08-28T21:04:01","date_gmt":"2013-08-28T21:04:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/imaginaisladepascua.com\/?page_id=5561"},"modified":"2021-10-06T15:16:08","modified_gmt":"2021-10-06T15:16:08","slug":"ahu-te-peu","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-sightseeing\/easter-island-archaeology\/ahu-te-peu\/","title":{"rendered":"Ahu Te Peu, a place of legend"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>Ahu Te Peu, a place of legend<\/h1>\n<figure>\n<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-18720\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Ahu-Te-Peu-Isla-de-Pascua1.jpg?resize=700%2C468&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Ahu-Te-Peu-Isla-de-Pascua1\" width=\"700\" height=\"468\" data-id=\"18720\" \/><br \/>\n<\/figure>\n<!-- Widget Shortcode --><div id=\"custom_html-13\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html widget-shortcode area-arbitrary \"><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><div class=\"content-box-redes-sociales\"><div class=\"addtoany_shortcode\"><div class=\"a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list\"><a class=\"a2a_button_whatsapp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/whatsapp?linkurl=&amp;linkname=\" title=\"WhatsApp\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a class=\"a2a_button_facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/facebook?linkurl=&amp;linkname=\" title=\"Facebook\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a class=\"a2a_button_x\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/x?linkurl=&amp;linkname=\" title=\"X\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a class=\"a2a_button_email\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/email?linkurl=&amp;linkname=\" title=\"Email\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a class=\"a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/share\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- \/Widget Shortcode -->\n<p><strong>Ahu Te Peu<\/strong> is an important site located on the northwest coast of the island which presents a great archaeological and historical value. The ruins found here have remained virtually intact since the ancient inhabitants left the place. This fact offers a great opportunity for scientists to carry out studies and draw conclusions from the old way of life of rapanui.<\/p>\n\n<!-- Widget Shortcode --><div id=\"text-8\" class=\"widget widget_text widget-shortcode area-arbitrary \">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 0.7em; color: #c4c4c4; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 5px;\">ADVERTISING<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"anuncio\">\r\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9974337153208599\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Banner_Central Rapa Nui -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9974337153208599\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"4035446418\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><!-- \/Widget Shortcode -->\n<h2>Some elements of an ancient village<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18727\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18727\" style=\"width: 630px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-18727 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Manavai-Ahu-Te-Peu-Isla-de-Pascua.jpg?resize=640%2C423&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Manavai de Ahu Te Peu\" width=\"640\" height=\"423\" data-id=\"18727\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18727\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Manavai at Ahu Te Peu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In <strong>Ahu Te Peu<\/strong> the ruins are found of what was once a large village that stretched from the present coastal path to the edge of the cliff. In that strip, of about two hundred meters of width, appear several typical constructions that comprised of the majority of the old settlements islanders.<\/p>\n<p>If you descend from the small parking lot, where the sign indicates the place, you can see several <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-flora\/\">manavai<\/a>. These <strong>circular stone structures<\/strong> were used to grow different plants sheltered from the winds and thus maintain humidity. It is believed that this method of cultivation is inspired by observing the ecosystem that is created in the craters of <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-sightseeing\/easter-island-volcanoes\/\">volcanoes like Rano Kau or Rano Raraku<\/a>, in which the vegetation abounds.<\/p>\n<p>Near the manavai stands a rectangular block of stones with a small opening. It is a <strong><em>hare moa<\/em> or chicken coop<\/strong>. Another important construction in the villages that served to enclose at night the precious birds, introducing them through its single hole. This avoided the theft of one of the main ingredients of the diet and supply of feathers used in the attire.<\/p>\n<h2>The house of a king of legend<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18724\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18724\" style=\"width: 690px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-18724 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Ahu-Te-Peu-Isla-de-Pascua6.jpg?resize=700%2C468&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Planta de una antigua hare paenga o casa-bote de Ahu Te Peu\" width=\"700\" height=\"468\" data-id=\"18724\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18724\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Remains of an old hare paenga or boat house at Ahu Te Peu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Continuing along on the right, in the direction of the sea, you can appreciate the foundations of several <em>hare paenga<\/em> or boat houses, named because their long elliptical plant resembles that of a boat. Here is <strong>the largest boat house on the island<\/strong>, with a length of 43 meters and some relate it with the so-called Tore Tahuna, home of the famous Ariki Tu&#8217;u Ko Ihu.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ariki Tu&#8217;u Ko Ihu<\/strong> is a very important person in the oral tradition of the island, since besides being married with Ava Rei Pua, the sister of the first king Hotu Matu&#8217;a, carried out several surprising episodes collected in several <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/rapa-nui-culture\/easter-island-mystery\/\">legends<\/a>. The most famous is the one that tells that after the Ariki Tu&#8217;u Ko Ihu observed strange spirits in several places of the island, returned to his house where he carved in wood their bodies, giving rise to one of the most famous and representative figures of Rapa Nui, the <strong>Moai Kava Kava<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2>A great megalithic work<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18723\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18723\" style=\"width: 690px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-18723 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Ahu-Te-Peu-Isla-de-Pascua4.jpg?resize=700%2C468&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Cabeza de moai semienterrada en Ahu Te Peu\" width=\"700\" height=\"468\" data-id=\"18723\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18723\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Half-buried moai head at Ahu Te Peu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In front of the cliff the remains of two ahu or platforms where several moai stood are found. The structures are quite deteriorated and several broken statues with half-buried heads are observed.<\/p>\n<p>These abandoned images along with the solitude of the place, interrupted only by the trot of some wild horses, convey the adventure feeling of being before the vestiges of an old lost civilization.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18722\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18722\" style=\"width: 690px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-18722 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Ahu-Te-Peu-Isla-de-Pascua3.jpg?resize=700%2C468&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Gran muro megal\u00edtico de la parte posterior del Ahu Te Peu\" width=\"700\" height=\"468\" data-id=\"18722\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18722\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Great megalithic wall on the back of the Ahu Te Peu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The back of the platform on the right presents <strong>an imposing wall with enormous blocks of stone<\/strong> assembled with mastery. This megalithic work is reminiscent of the technique used on the famous wall of Vinapu, but without achieving the same perfection.<\/p>\n<p>As part of the platforms, there are several stones with holes that belonged to the foundations of old boat-houses, and which were reused as building material. Here there also are several demolished face down moai bodies.<\/p>\n<h2>A brother and a sister linked by the sun<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18725\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18725\" style=\"width: 690px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-18725 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Ahu-Te-Peu-Isla-de-Pascua7.jpg?resize=700%2C468&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Cabeza de moai del Ahu Te Peu\" width=\"700\" height=\"468\" data-id=\"18725\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18725\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Moai head at Ahu Te Peu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The tradition tells that shortly after his death, <strong>King Hotu Matu&#8217;a<\/strong> was transferred and buried in Akahanga (where it is currently the ahu Akahanga). His sister <strong>Ava Rei Pua<\/strong>, wife of the mentioned Ariki Tu&#8217;u Ko Ihu, was buried in Te Peu, its place of residence.<\/p>\n<p>Recent research has established an astronomical and geometric relationship between these two sites. The two sites where both siblings of royal origin were buried are located at the ends of <strong>an axis between the dawn of the summer solstice and the dusk of the winter solstice<\/strong>, symbolically relating their resting place to the annual solar cycle.<\/p>\n<!-- Widget Shortcode --><div id=\"text-47\" class=\"widget widget_text widget-shortcode area-arbitrary \">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 0.7em; color: #c4c4c4; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 5px;\">ADVERTISING<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"anuncio\">\r\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9974337153208599\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Banner_Central Rapa Nui -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9974337153208599\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"4035446418\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><!-- \/Widget Shortcode -->\n<p>It has been proven that when watching the sunset of the winter solstice from Akahanga, located on the southeast coast of the island, the last ray of sun is set in the direction of Te Peu, where tradition points to the tomb of Ava Rei Pua. In the same way, from Te Peu to the northwest of the island, it is possible to see the sun rising in the direction of Akahanga, the tomb of King Hotu Matu&#8217;a, at the dawn of the summer solstice.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps, this fact is only a simple geographical coincidence. Although seen from a more mystical and sentimental point of view, it may show how the ancient rapanui used their knowledge of geometry and astronomy to symbolically unite the last abode of two such transcendental brothers in the history of the island.<\/p>\n<h2>Starting point of the north coast<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18721\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18721\" style=\"width: 690px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-18721 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Ahu-Te-Peu-Isla-de-Pascua2.jpg?resize=700%2C468&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Vista de Ahu Te Peu y acantilado de la costa norte\" width=\"700\" height=\"468\" data-id=\"18721\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18721\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">View of Ahu Te Peu next to a cliff of the North Coast<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In addition to its great historical importance, Ahu Te Peu symbolizes the gateway to <strong>the island&#8217;s untamed northern coast<\/strong>, a solitary area, which remains almost untouched since it is hardly visited by tourists. The tour runs along the lower slopes of the <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-sightseeing\/easter-island-volcanoes\/terevaka\/\">Terevaka volcano<\/a>, passes through <strong>Hanga Oteo<\/strong> to the north and ends at <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-sightseeing\/easter-island-beaches\/anakena\/\">Anakena beach<\/a> after more than 6 long hours of hiking. Many remains of ahu, moai, caves and petroglyphs can be seen, but since there is practically no road and the signaling of these landmarks is null, it is possible that many of them are overlooked. So it is advisable to carry out this interesting adventure accompanied by a guide.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"How-to-get-to-the-Ahu-Te-peu\">How to get to the Ahu Tepeu<\/h2>\n<p>Ahu Te Peu is located on the road that borders the north coast, one kilometer north of Ana Te Pora, and another kilometer to the northwest of Ana Te Pahu, the bananas cave.<\/p>\n<p>You can only get there by walking or cycling on the road that starts at Ahu Akivi and which is part of the circuit called Te Ana or the caves that includes the visit to Ana Te Pahu, Ana Te Pora and Ana Kakenga.<\/p>\n<p>Another option is to take the trail that starts at Ahu Tahai and passes through Hanga Kio&#8217;e. The route, which has an approximate length of 6 km and a duration of one and a quarter hours, allows to enjoy the sea breeze and the beautiful views of the cliffs of the coast.<\/p>\n<p>In any case, it is necessary to present the National Park ticket at the checkpoints located at the starting points of both routes.<\/p>\n<h2>Location Map<\/h2>\n\n<!-- Widget Shortcode --><div id=\"text-47\" class=\"widget widget_text widget-shortcode area-arbitrary \">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 0.7em; color: #c4c4c4; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 5px;\">ADVERTISING<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"anuncio\">\r\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9974337153208599\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Banner_Central Rapa Nui -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9974337153208599\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"4035446418\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><!-- \/Widget Shortcode -->\n<h2>Nearby places<\/h2>\n<div class=\"lugares-cercanos\">\n<div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-sightseeing\/easter-island-caves\/ana-te-pora\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" height=\"150\" width=\"150\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-rounded alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5873\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/Ana-Te-Pora.jpg?resize=150%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Ana Te Pora\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Ana Te Pora<\/p>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-sightseeing\/easter-island-caves\/ana-kakenga\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" height=\"150\" width=\"150\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-rounded alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5873\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/Ana-Kakenga1.jpg?resize=150%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Ana Kakenga\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Ana Kakenga<\/p>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-sightseeing\/easter-island-caves\/ana-te-pahu\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" height=\"150\" width=\"150\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-rounded alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5873\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/imaginarapanui.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/Ana-Te-Pahu-box.jpg?resize=150%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Ana Te Pahu\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Ana Te Pahu<\/p>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4>You may also like<\/h4>\n<div class=\"tepuedeinteresar\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-sightseeing\/easter-island-archaeology\/ahu-akahanga\/\">Ahu Akahanga, the last rest of Hotu Matu&#8217;a<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/rapa-nui-culture\/easter-island-mystery\/\">Myths and legends of Easter Island<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-sightseeing\/easter-island-caves\/\">Easter Island caves<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<!-- Widget Shortcode --><div id=\"custom_html-13\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html widget-shortcode area-arbitrary \"><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><div class=\"content-box-redes-sociales\"><div class=\"addtoany_shortcode\"><div class=\"a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list\"><a class=\"a2a_button_whatsapp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/whatsapp?linkurl=&amp;linkname=\" title=\"WhatsApp\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a class=\"a2a_button_facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/facebook?linkurl=&amp;linkname=\" title=\"Facebook\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a class=\"a2a_button_x\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/x?linkurl=&amp;linkname=\" title=\"X\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a class=\"a2a_button_email\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/email?linkurl=&amp;linkname=\" title=\"Email\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a class=\"a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/share\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- \/Widget Shortcode -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ahu Te Peu, a place of legend Ahu Te Peu is an important site located on the northwest coast of the island which presents a great archaeological and historical value. The ruins found here have remained virtually intact since &#8230; <a title=\"Ahu Te Peu, a place of legend\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/easter-island-sightseeing\/easter-island-archaeology\/ahu-te-peu\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Ahu Te Peu, a place of legend\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5562,"parent":765,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_bos_mb_destination":[""],"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5561","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","no-featured-image-padding"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5561","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5561"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5561\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24788,"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5561\/revisions\/24788"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/765"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5562"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/imaginarapanui.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5561"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}