HISTORY
 |
EASTER ISLAND,
known as Rapa Nui (Great Island) by its inhabitants, is one of the world's most
fascinating geographical and archaeological locations. Situated in the
vast expanse of the South Pacific Ocean, 3600 kilometres west of Chile, and
4050 kilometres east of Tahiti, Easter Island is the most isolated place on
the face of the Earth. Spawned by numerous volcanic eruptions over millennia, and measuring a diminutive 170 square kilometres, Easter Islands spectacular landscape is littered with hundreds of the mysterious and awe inspiring idols for which it is most famous - Moai. Without doubt, these giant gaunt-faced statues are the main reason the island holds such magnetic attraction for modern day explorers. |
Approximately 1000 moai were hewn from volcanic rock, and lie scattered around the island. The grandest measures 21 meters from head to toe, and weighs an estimated 300 tons. Although the moai were toppled over during centuries old tribal conflict, today many sites can be viewed in their entire splendour, having been restored using ancient techniques.
|
Getting to Easter Island has never been easier - and one does not have to be an archaeologist to enjoy its unique blend of history and culture. The people are friendly the island is small and safe, and one can effortlessly get 'lost' for days whilst exploring its many treasures. The first inhabitants of Rapa Nui are believed to have arrived between the fourth and the eighth century AD. Over the next few centuries as the population increased, a surprisingly complex culture developed consisting of some 13 or so groups or tribes of common lineage, each occupying a share of inland territory, and a stretch of coastal land. |
 |
The islanders main religious and political activity was centred in these coastal areas, which is where the ceremonial alters (ahu) containing the stone statues were constructed. These important places of worship were dotted around the entire coastline of Rapa Nui. A striking aspect of the coastal statues is that they all faced inland, with their backs toward the sea.
 |
Over time, an increasing dedication to ancestor worship developed. The giant altars and stone figures began to emerge over this period of heightened activity. However the denser population appears to have been unsustainable in terms of the availability of food and other natural resources. The fragile ecological balance, which ensued on the tiny island, is believed to have triggered a major social crisis. This culminated in a series of disastrous wars between various island groups, during the 16th and 17th centuries. During this period all of the moai on the island were toppled over, the ahu were destroyed, and moai production ceased. |
| In the aftermath
of the tribal wars, a new religious cult appeared, with it's ceremonial centre
located at the Orongo Village, on the peak of the Rano Kau volcanic crated.
This has become known as the birdman cult. The egg of the Manutara, a migratory
bird, was the focus of an annual competition. Participants from each village
each vied to be the first to secure a sacred egg from the nearby coastal islands.
The winner was granted the title Tangata Manu, (Birdman) and bought great prestige
to his tribe. The first European arrivals occurred on Easter Sunday, April 6, 1722, when a Dutch Admiral, Jacob Roggeven, discovered Rapa Nui. The next visitor was James Cook in 1774, and from the late 1700's Easter Island became a regular stopover on the route to Oceania. |
 |
A mixture of introduced diseases, pests, and Peruvian Slave traders completely decimated the population, and only a small number of inhabitants were left when Chile claimed sovereignty over Easter Island in 1888. Today, fishing, farming and tourism are the lifeblood of Easter Island. The islands unique blend of history and culture draws a growing number of visitors each year, from Oceania, South America, the United States and Europe.