Rapanui (Easter Islands) Flashcards
What were the big stones found called?
Maoi (mo-wi)
Where is Rapanui?
The farthest eastern island in the Polynesian triangle, in Oceania.
What was the old story that people used to believe about Moai?
That the people there were very violent, and had wars, bringing rocks to show they could bring a bigger rock.
Do people believe the old story about Moai anymore?
No. They have new data, and have found this could not longer be true.
Why do scientists believe that the early people of Rapanui didn’t fight?
Because they didn’t have marks to show violence in their skeletons.
When was Rapanui found?
800 years ago
How many people were there?
3,000. People previously believed it was 20,000.
What did people bring over to Rapanui?
Chickens, rats, taro, and bananas.
Was there a lot of fighting over resources?
No. Since there weren’t as many people as previously thought, there was less fighting over resources.
What did the rats do?
They damaged the ecosystem.
What happened to the trees?
They were cut down. Probably to make waka (canoes).
Why did people used think that the trees were cut down?
To use to roll stones.
What happened when the trees got cut down?
The soil quality deteriorated.
What did the people do to help to soil?
They placed stones down so when it rained, the water washed the minerals into the ground.
How did they move the Moai?
They rocked them back and forth. Though this often cause the Moai to fall.
