Scientists baffled as new statue emerges on Easter Island

Scientists have been left completely baffled after a new statue emerged from a dried-up lake bed on Easter Island.

The island is located in the South Pacific Ocean, approximately 2,200 miles off the coast of Chile.

Easter Island has always been shrouded in mystery due to its volcanic stone figures that are believed to have been carved between 1300-1600.

The figures are called moai in the island’s native Polynesian language and for many years, the reason behind their exact location has been unknown.

Each moai is unique, and was created to represent the features of deceased chiefs.

After placing each moai, the final finishing touches of stones were added to represent each figure's eyes.

Now, scientists have been left baffled after a new statue has emerged.

A new moai has been discovered on Easter Island (ABC News)

Terry Hunt, professor of archaeology at the University of Arizona, spoke about the exciting discovery with Good Morning America.

He said: "We think we know all the moai, but then a new one turns up, a new discovery, and in this case, it's in the lake, at the statue quarry.

"There have been no moai found in the dry lakebed before, so this is a first.

"The moai are important because they really represent the history of the Rapa Nui people.

"They were the islanders' deified ancestors. They're iconic worldwide, and they really represent the fantastic archeological heritage of this island."

Scientists think there could be more undiscovered moai (Fabien Pallueau/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The statue is one of the smallest of the collection and has raised questions of whether any more smaller moai could exist and whether they will be uncovered with the current dry conditions.

Salvador Atan Hito, vice president of Ma'u Henua, explained the significance of the discovery, adding: "For the Rapa Nui people, this is a very, very important discovery.

"Because it's here in the lake and nobody knew it existed, even our ancestors, our grandparents didn't know about this one."

"Under the dry conditions that we have now, we may find more," Hunt added.

"They've been hidden by the tall reeds that grow in the lake bed, and prospecting with something that can detect what's under the ground surface may tell us that there are more moai in the lakebed sediments.

"When there's one moai in the lake, there's probably more."

Easter Island is located in the South Pacific Ocean (Fabien Pallueau/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Measuring approximately 13 feet in height, while weighing anywhere between 12-14 tons, the human heads sculpted on torsos are believed to have been made from hardened volcanic ash.

The largest moai ever made is Paro, which was nearly 33 feet tall with a weight of 82 tons.

Hito has explained that along with more moai, the team are also looking for tools that may have been used to carve the statues.

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