Renowned Archeologist to Lecture on Easter Island Statues
Archeologist Jo Anne Van Tilburg, whose research has unraveled many of the mysteries surrounding the haunting statues of Easter Island, will lecture on her findings Dec. 8 at Southern California College.
Van Tilburg developed the leading theory explaining how pre-Columbian Polynesians were able to carry colossal stones, weighing up to 89 tons, over the small South Pacific island 2,300 miles west of Chile, using devices similar to contemporary rocket-launch gantries.
“She is quite renowned,” said Josephine M. Isenberg, publicity chairwoman for the Archaeological Institute of America’s Orange County Society, which is sponsoring the event.
Van Tilburg, who lives in Malibu, is considered the world’s premiere expert on the 887 Easter Island statues known as moai. Working as a research associate with UCLA, she spent 13 years traveling to and from the island. Her findings have been featured on the PBS science magazine “Nova” and in several publications.
The lecture, to be followed by a book signing, will be directed to a general rather than scientific audience, Isenberg said. Themes will include ecology, iconography and architecture.
“The assumption is that people come because they are interested in learning about the topic, but it isn’t too technical,” Isenberg said. “We don’t want to scare anybody.”
The Archaeological Institute offers monthly lectures in Orange County on various topics. Last month, the group discussed the forgery of antiquities.
Southern California College is at 55 Fair Drive. The lecture begins at 2 p.m. Admission is $5 for the general public and $2 for students.
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