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.
How did they prevent the Moai from falling?
They sung songs to stay in rhythm.
How many percent of peoples bones were damaged?
3%
Were the people of Easter Island peaceful or violent?
Peaceful.
Who found Easter Island (not discovered, found)?
Jacob Roggeveen (Row-geh-vain)
Where was Jacob from?
The Netherlands. He was Dutch.
How did Easter Islands get it’s name?
Jacob found it on Easter.
When did Jacob find Easter Islands?
1722
Why did most native people die out?
Jacob brought diseases from Europe that the natives weren’t use to, which killed many. The new people also then captured many people for slavery.
What was the platform Moai say on called?
Ahu. Their backs faced the ocean.
What physical features did the Moai have?
Big eyebrows, shadowed and recessed eyes, prominent nose, flared nostrils, elongated earlobes, pursed lips, and a strong jawline.
What were Moai made of?
A lighter volcanic rock.
When were the Moai carved?
Between 1,250 and 1,500 CE
What did people believe the Moai represented?
Ancestral chiefs that descended from they gods. They believed these chiefs had superhuman powers.
What were the purpose of Moai?
They served as both protection, and a holding space for these ancestral chiefs until they came back.
What were Pukau?
They were the top knots of hair on Moai statues.
