Easter Island History

Easter Island History::-

There has been a lot controversy over the origins of the Easter Islanders.  evidence if archaeological findings, however, indicates discovery of the island by Polynesians at about 400 AD – led, according to legend, by Hotu

Matua. Upon their arrival, an amazing and enigmatic culture started to develop.  Alongside the statues, the islanders possessed the Rongorongo script; the only written language in Oceania. The island is also home to many petroglyphs (rock carvings), as well as traditional wood carvings, tapa (barkcloth) crafts, string figures, tattooing,music, and dance.

The population of Easter Island reached its capacity at  more than 10,000, far exceeding the capabilities of the small island’s ecosystem. Resources became scarce, and the once lush palm forests were destroyed – cleared for agriculture and moving the massive stone Moai. The island could no longer sustain the population and the society on the island, which mainly consisted  of a few dozen tribes, began to decline. The social order also began to decline into  civil war and, evidently, cannibalism, as people tried to survive. All of the Moai standing along the coast were eventually torn down by the islanders themselves. You will now find them placed around the island as  recent archaeological efforts have taken place.

Contacts with western “civilization” were even worse for the island population which, through slavery and disease, had decreased to approximately 111 by the turn of the century.  Following the annexation by Chile in 1888, it has risen to more than 2,000, with other Rapanui living in Chile, Tahiti and North America. Although there is a  growing Chilean presence, the island’s Polynesian identity is still pretty strong.

Easter Island Visitor Information
There is a Tourist Information office close to the main square on the island. Despite its extreme geographic isolation, the island has regular air travel from the mainland. There are many tourist services on the island and be prepared to pay a lot. Almost everything needs to be flown in from the mainland.

The flight is more than 5.5 hours in the air from the nearest continent. The only regular flights are via LAN Airlines. Fares range between US$300-US$1200 round trip from Santiago, Chile. There isn’t a lot of accommodation on the island and since things have to be important from far away, you will find the island very expensive. You can walk around the island to see the statues yourself- no admission fee is required.

Some of the highlights to see while you are on Easter Island include:

• Iglesia Parroquial de la Santa Cruz – This is the island’s Catholic church and a focus for the colorful Easter Sunday services where the priest is known to arrive and depart on horseback. Its interior is decorated with carved wooden statues, a vision of Christianity and Indigenous spirituality.


• Cementerio Hanga Roa – On the north end of town is the Hanga Roa Cemetery. This is a mostly Polynesian cemetery and is always vivid with decorations.


• Parque Nacional Rapa Nui – Created in 1935, this park comprises about 40% of the island’s surface. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Inside the Park you shouldn’t miss  moai monuments including Ahu Tahal, Ahu Ko Te Riku, and Ahu Vai Uri.

Easter Island Conservation Efforts
Conservation efforts on the island center on protecting the famous statues from decay and restoring them to their original glory. There is also a specific conservation project for two of Easter Island’s most famous moai, known as the “mama” and the “papa”. According to local tradition, the statues were named while poking fun at the early 20th century explorer Katherine Routledge and her husband William Scoresby Routledge. These statues stand in the Rano Raraku quarry, the source of most of the statues’ stones and still the location of almost 400 giant statues.

The AIA Site Preservation Task Force and Grant program was formed in 2008 in response to the rapidly accelerating destruction of ancient monuments and sites due to war, looting, extreme weather, and neglect. The Task Force believes that new approaches are required and will focus on people not just stones; that is the empowerment and economic development of the local population.