Final answer:
The Moai statues on Easter Island had the function of honoring and respecting past ancestors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Moai statues on Easter Island, carved by the Rapa Nui people, had multiple functions. One function was to honor and respect past ancestors. These massive stone sculptures represented the guardian ancestors/deities that watched over the island and its people. They were positioned to face inland, symbolizing a connection to the spiritual world.