The Secret Astronomy of the Moai: How Polynesia Mapped the Sky | SLICE

Long before GPS, the stars were maps.

In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, on Rapa Nui also known as Easter Island, Polynesian navigators mastered the night sky to cross thousands of kilometers of open ocean.

This documentary explores how ancient Rapa Nui priests and astronomers studied constellations such as the Southern Cross, Polaris, and above all the Pleiades, known locally as Matariki.

Through the work of archaeologist-astronomer Edmundo Edwards and Rapa Nui cultural guardian Leo Pakarati, we uncover how stone altars, ceremonial platforms, and sacred sites align with celestial events.

The rising of the Pleiades marked the new year. Their setting signaled seasonal change, fishing cycles, and ritual life.

From the mysterious moai statues to ancient star maps carved in stone, this is a journey into Polynesian archaeoastronomy and humanity’s deep connection to the cosmos.

Documentary: Children of the Stars – Southern Cross
Directed by: Gonzalo Argandoña
Production : Cábala Producciones