What's so special about Easter Islands?
Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, is a small island in the southeast Pacific Ocean. The island is known for its giant stone statues known as Moai. The island was first settled by the Polynesians around 300 AD and was home to the Rapa Nui civilization for centuries. However, in the 17th century, the island's population declined significantly due to environmental degradation, overpopulation, and internal conflicts.
Who owns the Easter Islands?
In 1888, Chile annexed Easter Island and leased much of the land for sheep farming. In 1965, the Chilean government appointed a civilian governor of Easter Island, making the islander's full Chilean citizens.
Who Made The Mysterious Statues of The Easter Islands?
The Easter Island statues, also known as moai, are large stone sculptures made by the Rapa Nui people. There are a total of 887 moai statues on Easter Island, with the largest concentration in the Rano Raraku quarry. The Moai statues are famous for their size, some of them are up to 33 feet tall and weigh 75 tons.
The Moai statues were carved from the island's volcanic rock and placed on large stone platforms called ahu, often located near the beach. The statues were supposed to represent the ancestors of Rapa Nui and were used for various ceremonies and rituals.
When in February of this year (2023) a team of scientific volunteers from three Chilean universities discovered a new moai at the bottom of a dry lake on the Rano Raraco volcano, the Rapa Nui people believed that the remaining moai had survived World.
To date, no other sculpture has been found in any of the lakes, making this find unique. For the first time on the island, this definitely opens up new opportunities to understand the cultural and religious significance of these mystical sculptures.
Just last year, in October 2022, devastating fires destroyed many of these iconic sculptures, leaving lasting scars. Officials called it "irreparable" damage.
Myths & Misunderstandings about Easter Islands
Easter Island and its history are surrounded by many myths and misunderstandings. Here are some examples:
- The Rapa Nui people destroyed their own civilization: This myth says that the Rapa Nui people overtaxed their resources and destroyed their own civilization due to environmental degradation and wars. However, recent research has shown that external factors such as the spread of disease and slave raids by European and South American traders played a significant role in the decline of the Rapa Nui civilization.
- Moai by Aliens or Ancient Lost Civilizations: There is no scientific evidence to support claims that aliens or ancient lost civilizations were involved in the creation of Moai. These sculptures were created by the people of Rapa Nui using local raw materials and traditional carving techniques.
- Rapa Nui Cannibals: Although there is evidence that the Rapa Nui people engaged in ritual cannibalism, it was not a widespread practice and may have been reserved for special occasions such as religious ceremonies or wars.
- The disappearance of the Rapa Nui people. Although the Rapa Nui civilization declined sharply after the arrival of Europeans in the 18th century, the Rapa Nui people did not disappear. Today, approximately 5,000 Rapa Nui live on Easter Island and mainland Chile.
Are The Myths Real?
There is no scientific evidence that Aliens played a role in the creation of the Moai on Easter Island. These sculptures were made by the people of the Rapa Nui, who are skilled craftsmen. There is no reliable evidence that aliens were involved in their creation.
Today, Easter Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its Moai statues are popular tourist attractions. The island's economy is primarily based on tourism, fishing, and agriculture.