William Thomas Mulloy, Jr. (1917–1978) was an American
anthropologist. While his early research established him as a formidable
scholar and skilful fieldwork supervisor in the province of North American
Plains archaeology, he is best known for his studies of Polynesian prehistory
though, especially his investigations into the production, transportation and
erection of the monumental statuary on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) known as moai.
Mulloy undertook extensive research projects in North
American Plains Indian and Southwestern Indian archaeology. He investigated
sites in New Mexico, Wyoming,
and Montana.
In 1955, following his famous Kon-Tiki Expedition (1947),
the Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl assembled a team of specialists,
including Mulloy, to conduct archaeological research at various sites
throughout Eastern Polynesia.
Mulloy's restoration projects on the island earned him
the great respect of Rapa Nui islanders, many
of whom collaborated with him at multiple venues.
William Mulloy Sailing back from Rapa Nui
Mulloy died of lung cancer in Laramie on March 25, 1978. His remains were
interred on Rapa Nui in full view of the Tahai
Ceremonial Complex, one of his more important restoration projects.
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