Easter Island: Multiple Lessons

Easter Island was annexed by Chile in 1888 Easter Island was annexed by Chile in 1888. It lies 3510 km west of the Chilean mainland.

Easter Day in 1722 Imagine what the first Dutch explorers thought when they first accidentally sailed to Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and saw the statues.

Statistics Rapa Nui (Easter Island)is 5 hours (3600 km) by jet airplane from Chile (2000km from the closest inhabited island). The island is triangular and about 20 kilometers long. (27°S) Some statues weigh over 100 tons (the largest were close to 10 meters high). Hundreds (887) of statues all around the island.

How did it fall apart? There is clear evidence that Easter Island once was a heavily populated (perhaps 20,000 people) and rich society. There is clear evidence that this big population collapsed and most of the population died.

Collapse (cont’d) When the Europeans first arrived in 1722, there were approx 2,500 natives. In 1877 there were only 110.

Collapse (cont’d) Natives came originally from Polynesia -probably accidentally found Rapa Nui (Easter Island) while they were lost. Statues were built by natives cut from soft volcanic stone on the island. Society collapsed before the Europeans arrived caused by overpopulation and poor use of resources

Collapse Rapa Nui (Easter Island)must have seemed like paradise to the first natives of perhaps 100 people. Forests Seafood Plenty of space

Reasons for collapse Cults formed and statues were built to worship the cults. Many trees were cut down in order to move the statues (log rolling – compare to Stonehenge) Rats ate the seeds leaving the island without trees Boats slowly disappeared so people could no longer fish. The soil washed into the sea because there were no trees.

How do we know this? Pollen in soil samples can show how plant life changes over time. Bones of animals show that less and less fish was eaten as time advanced. Bones of humans show evidence of cannibalism.

Attenborough youtube: 4min 25 sec into clip   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hO-vCPuuQQ

Why? What? Why didn't they stop before it was too late? What were they thinking when they cut down the last tree? What can WE learn from the history of Easter Island?

Larger Lesson What larger lesson can we learn about the planet Earth based on Easter Island’s history? Make a list of the similarities as follows: Both Rapa Nui and the Earth: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Eco-lesson Both Rapa Nui and the Earth: 1. are isolated with nowhere to escape to; 2. have experienced environmental destruction; 3. have overpopulation problems; 4. are quickly using up resources