What is the story behind Easter Island?
Island tradition claims that around 1680, after peacefully coexisting for many years, one of the island’s two main groups, known as the Short-Ears, rebelled against the Long-Ears, burning many of them to death on a pyre constructed along an ancient ditch at Poike, on the island’s far northeastern coast.
Why did cannibalism start on Easter Island?
With no trees to anchor the soil, fertile land eroded away resulting in poor crop yields, while a lack of wood meant islanders couldn’t build canoes to access fish or move statues. This led to internecine warfare and, ultimately, cannibalism.
What is the main mystery of Easter Island?
The Moai that Van Tilburg’s team excavated were discovered upright in place, one on a pedestal and the other in a deep hole, indicating they were meant to remain there. “This study radically alters the idea that all standing statues in Rano Raraku were simply awaiting transport out of the quarry,” Van Tilburg said.
How did humans end up on Easter Island?
Linguists estimate Easter Island’s first inhabitants arrived around AD 400, and most agree that they came from East Polynesia. The archaeological record suggests a somewhat later date of settlement, between AD 700 and 800. As early as BC 5500 people in Melanesia were voyaging in boats and trading in obsidian.
Did the people of Easter Island eat each other?
They Actually Got Along. In popular science literature, much ink has been spilled on the supposed collapse of Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, as it’s known in the local language.
What did the people of Easter Island eat?
POCATELLO, IDAHO—An analysis of teeth from 41 individuals whose remains were found on Easter Island suggests that the Rapa Nui ate a diet of plants such as yams, sweet potatoes, and bananas, and terrestrial animals, including Polynesian rats and chickens.
What did the rats do to Easter Island?
Around 1400 the Easter Island palm became extinct due to overharvesting and as Hunt argues, Polynesian rats, which severely reduced the palm’s capacity to reproduce by eating its seeds.
Do people live on Easter Island?
About 5,000 people live on Easter Island today, and thousands of tourists come to see the anthropomorphic “moai” statues each year.
What animals are on Easter Island?
Terrestrial fauna of Easter Island
- Moko uru-uru kau. Moko uri uri.
- Chimango Caracara. Perdiz chilena.
- Frigatebird. Red-tailed tropicbird.
- Manutara. Manukena.
- Sea turtle at Hanga Piko. Rape rape, a type of lobster endemic to Easter Island.