Almost all the statues were created in the volcanic quarry of Rano Raraku before being transported to stone plinths (known as ahus) at different points on the isle"s coastline. Lipo"s study found that unfinished statues in the quarry and abandoned ones lying on the side of the island"s roads – ie ones that needed to be moved – had wider bases relative to shoulder width compared to the statues standing on the ahus. They also significantly leaned forward by around 17 degrees, causing the centre of mass to be positioned just over the rounded front bottom edge. These adjustments allowed the statue to roll from side to side and be transported to their final spot.