How did the Rapa Nui civilization rise and fall on Easter Island? Leilani Carbonell-Pedroni

Introduction Easter Island, or locally referred to as Rapa Nui, is a place of mysteries. How the civilization was settled is debated by scholars worldwide. This tiny island about 2000 miles from any other body of land, is dotted with large stone statues that seem to guard the island. How the statues were moved about and built sparks curiosity among its visitors and historians. The archeological artifacts found on Rapa Nui indicate that civilization did flourish here and then came to an end. What was life like here? Where did the first inhabitants come from and how? How were the large statues built? Why did civilization come to an end in Rapa Nui? Map of Island

What are the origins of the Rapa Nui civilization? In 2000 B.C., people from Polynesia traveled to Rapa Nui in wooden canoes in search of food and new land. Evidence to support this theory: in 1994, DNA from skeletons was found to be Polynesian, language and customs similar to Polynesian culture. According to Thor Heyerdahl, people from a pre-Inca society sailed from Peru to Rapa Nui. Evidence to support his theory: architectural similarities of Incan walls, the sweet potato crop on the island which is believed to have originated in South America.

What was life like in Rapa Nui? Rapa Nui established a highly organized society villages were constructed and clans were formed islanders farmed crops large stone statues were built ©Cliff Wassman

How did the Rapa Nui people meet their basic need for food? used slash and burn agriculture technique first inhabitants brought plants and animals to the island planted crops such as: banana trees, taro root, and sweet potato natural volcanic craters held fresh water ©

What forms of art and architecture did the Rapa Nui develop? carved great statues of their gods, called moai, from volcanic rock the islanders possessed the Rongorongo script; the only written language in Oceania thousands of petroglyphs (rock carvings) found on island ©Cliff Wassman

Why did early Rapa Nui civilization fall? deforestation, soil depletion, and erosion internal fighting among islanders overpopulation which led to food shortages Europeans brought disease - small pox and venereal disease Peruvian slave traders invaded the island

What is life like in Rapa Nui today? Rapa Nui is now a territory belonging to Chile, although the customs and language thrive and are rooted in Polynesian culture. Rapa Nui has the modern conveniences of Western countries including telephones, fax machines, video games, , and direct TV from Chile mainland. The island has become a tourist attraction mainly because of it’s great statues all over the island. The Rapu Nui language is still spoken on the islands.

Story Idea This story is based on a Polynesian legend about how Rapa Nui was first settled. The setting takes place 1,500 years ago when a Polynesian chief named Hotu Matu'a ("The Great Parent") sailed to Rapa Nui from a Polynesian island with his family and other islanders in search of new lands. After several months on the ocean, the islanders grow wary and on the brink of starvation. When all seems hopeless, Hotu Matu'a spots a small island covered with palm trees and forest. Hotu Matu’a and his followers land at Anakena Beach and names the island, Te-Pito-te-Henua, "end of the land," or "land's end.” The new inhabitants settle on the island and begin a new civilization.

Bibliography - Online Resources Brookman, David. “Easter Island Home Page” Iorana. 01 Dec “Secrets of Easter Island” NOVA Online PBS Online by WGBH Educational Foundation © Dec Wassman, Cliff. “Easter Island” Mysterious Places © All Rights Reserved. 01 Dec “A Short Prehistory and history of Easter Island” Easter Island Foundation. 01 Dec

Bibliography - Print Resources Wilson, Colin. The Unexplained Mysteries of the Universe. New York: DK Publishing, Inc, Macdonald, Fiona. The World in the Time of Tutankhamun. Philadelphia: chelsea House Publishers, 1997.