We count with the collaboration of an international team of archeologists, anthropologists, ethnographers as well as other scientists and researchers from different fields, who collaborate with us in specific research projects in those areas subject to study.

 

ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS OF THE LOWELL THOMAS AWARDS FOR 2011

Edmundo R. Edwards, FI’90	Claudio P. Cristino, FI’90	Patricia Vargas Casanova

Understanding the culture of Eastern Polynesia, and the enigmatic moai that stand on the shores of Easter Island, has been the life’s work of Edmundo Edwards, Patricia Vargas Casanova and Claudio Cristino.

Edmundo Edwards began his work on Easter Island in 1960, participating in the restoration of Ahu Akivi, the first Easter Island monument to be restored. Claudio Cristino and Patricia Vargas Casanova moved to the Island in 1976 to participate in the restoration of the famous birdman cult site of Orongo. In 1979, the trio founded the Easter Island Studies Centre of the University of Chile, now the Easter Island and Oceania Studies Centre.

In 1977, Cristino and Vargas Casanova began the massive Easter Island Archaeological Survey, a long term research program that to date has covered 85% of the island and recorded over 20,000 archaeological features and sites, including the documentation and mapping of almost 900 moai and the statue quarries of Rano Raraku (1981) where the great majority of the moai were carved, as part of the Easter Island Statuary Project carried out by the University of Chile´s research team (1977-1996). The pair have also directed the excavations and restoration of Ahu Tongariki one of the most notable monuments of Rapa Nui, protected as part of the National Park,  a world heritage site since 1996.

From 1985 and 1994, they all carried out extensive archaeological surveys, excavations or restoration work in the Society Islands, Marquesas, and in the Australs Islands in French Polynesia. Between 1986 and 1991 Edwards and a team of workers from Raivavae carried out a complete archaeological survey of the island, recording a total of 610 compound structures and isolated components and features. The results of this major work, the first complete inventory of one of the Austral Islands, were published in 2003. Thereafter he has been dedicated to investigate rock art and archaeoastronomy in Eastern Polynesia and Easter Island.

The trio continue to live and work in Polynesia, often collaborating on specific projects in French Polynesia and in Papua New Guinea. In addition to academic commitments at the University of Chile – where Patricia is a full Professor, Claudio an Associate Professor and Edmundo a Research Associate – all are principals or directors at the Pacific Islands Research and Education Institute (PIRI) a 501c3 non-profit corporations.

St. Louis Lowell Thomas Event

Oct 14

Our winners will be giving a presentation at a science symposium in St. Louis

Oct. 15

Is the night of the awards and dinner also in St. Louis

NYC - Public Lecture w/ Lowell Thomas
Award Winners, Edmundo Edwards,
Patricia Vargas and Claudio Cr istino

Oct 17

Event open to:
Public
Date:
October 17, 2011
Time:
6PM Check In, 7PM Start
Location:
The Explorers Club Headquarters
Description:
Note: This event features an optional post-lecture informal buffet dinner & mingle with the speaker. See reservation notes below.

2011 Lowell Thomas Award winners Edmundo Edwards FI'90, Patricia Vargas and Claudio Cristino FI'90 will be speaking about their work solving the mysteries of Easter Island. Understanding the culture of Eastern Polynesia, and the enigmatic moai that stand on the shores of Easter Island which has been the life’s work of Edmundo Edwards, Patricia Vargas Casanova and Claudio Cristino.

Member Ticket price:
No Charge
Guest Ticket Price:
$20
Student Ticket Price:
$5 w/ ID
Reservation Notes:
Post-lecture buffet Dinner pricing to be announced shortly.
Payment must accompany reservation. Tickets are secured only when a credit card is provided at the time the reservation is made. Reservations made without a credit card are not secured and tickets will be forfeited by 6:50pm the evening of the lecture.
Reservations are suggested on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call 212-628-8383, Fax 212-228-4449, or email reservations@explorers.org

 

Press Release 2011