Anakena facts for kids

Ahu Ature on Anakena Beach.

Anakena is a beautiful beach with white coral sand. It's located on Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island. This island is part of Chile and sits far out in the Pacific Ocean.

At Anakena, you'll find two special stone platforms called ahus. One, named Ahu-Ature, has a single giant stone statue, a moai. The other, Ahu Nao-Nao, has seven moai, though two are quite old and damaged. The beach also features a lovely palm tree grove. Easter Island is mostly rocky, so Anakena is special! It's one of only two small sandy beaches on the whole island.

Easter Island from space. Anakena beach is at the bottom left.

History of Anakena Beach

The First Settlers

According to old stories passed down on the island, Anakena was a very important place. It's believed to be where Hotu Matu'a, a Polynesian chief, first landed. He arrived with two canoes and started the very first settlement on Rapa Nui.

A Place for Ceremonies

Later, Anakena became a center for important ceremonies. Islanders would gather here to read from special wooden tablets called Rongorongo boards. These boards had a unique writing system.

The Birdman Cult

Anakena also played a role in the Tangata manu, or Birdman cult. In years when the new Birdman came from the western families, he would finish his celebrations at Anakena beach.

Discoveries at Anakena

Early Human Life

Modern studies of old sites, called archaeology, have found signs of people living at Anakena as early as the year 1200 CE. However, other studies suggest that the first people might have arrived on Rapa Nui between 300 and 1200 CE.

Important Digs

Anakena has been the site of several archaeological digs. These are careful excavations to uncover old artifacts. Famous archaeologists like Katherine Routledge in 1914 and both William Mulloy and Thor Heyerdahl in the 1950s worked here. Both of the ahus at Anakena have been carefully put back together and repaired.

Anakena in Movies

Anakena beach was used as a filming location for the 1994 movie Rapa Nui. This film was directed by Kevin Reynolds.

Panorama of Anakena beach, Easter Island, showing the sandy shore and moai statues.

See also

In Spanish: Playa Anakena para niños