Explorers have long been baffled by the stone statues on Chile's Easter Island. Even today, the monolithic figures remain one of the great mysteries of the world. Now archaeologists believe they are a step closer to resolving the ancient riddles.

At 2500 miles off the coast of Chile, Easter island is one of the world's most remote places inhabited by people.

Up to 1000 years ago, the islanders started putting giant red hats on the statues. Only 70 hats have been discovered among the 1000 statues, suggesting the headgear was added later, as a symbol of power.

The research team, from the University of Manchester and University College London, think the hats were rolled down from an ancient volcano.

They discovered the existence of a road used to transport the outcrops of volcanic rock. It leads to a yet unstudied quarry where the material was mined.

Archeologists believe the "hats" may have represented a plait or top knot worn by clan chieftains.

It is believed that these leaders mobilized vast teams of workers to harvest the volcanic rock, which was then transported on rolling tree trunks and then placed on the statues to enhance their position of grandeur.

(CCTV September 10, 2009)