Edmundo Edwards

Edmundo’s passion for archaeology started when he was 12 years old and discovered a pre-Incan site in northern Chile.  After visiting Rapa Nui in 1957, he became enthralled by Rapanui culture and returned to the island in 1960 to work with Professor William Mulloy on the restoration of Ahu Akivi.  

He has lived and worked in Polynesia ever since.  In 1977 Edmundo co-founded the Centro de Estudios de Isla de Pascua where he carried out archaeological and ethnographic studies for the University of Chile until 1985.  That year he left for Tahiti to work in the Department of Archaeology of the Centre Polynésien des Sciences Humaines Te Anavaharau (CPSH).  Edmundo spent the next nine years conducting archaeological surveys and leading restoration work in the Society, Marquesas, and Austral Islands.  Edmundo returned to Rapa Nui in 1994, where he collaborated in the restoration of Ahu Tongariki.  

Since then, he has devoted himself to the scientific study and preservation of the archaeology and culture of the Pacific islands.  He is the co-founder of two non-profit tax-exempt organizations: the Eastern Pacific Research Foundation (EPRF) and the Pacific Islands Research Institute (PIRI), both of which are dedicated to the discovery, analysis, documentation, and protection of South Pacific antiquities and cultures; the scope of their missions includes multidisciplinary projects addressing education, health, and other social issues.

 In addition, Edmundo is the co-owner of Archaeological Travel service (ATS), leading cultural tours to Rapa Nui and Atacama both for private groups as well as for the National Geographic Society, the Smithsonian Institution, and other prominent organizations with top-quality travel programs.  Edmundo is an active member of the Explorers Club and in 2011 he was honoured with the Lowell Thomas Award for his exceptional contribution to human knowledge through his valuable research and discoveries in Polynesia.