this whole business of giant statues really cries out for an explanation what
really cries out for an explanation what
really cries out for an explanation what happened when did it happen and why
happened when did it happen and why
happened when did it happen and why these are the sort of enduring questions
these are the sort of enduring questions
these are the sort of enduring questions that we think of as the mystery of
that we think of as the mystery of
that we think of as the mystery of Easter Island
ever since Easter Sunday
ever since Easter Sunday 17:22 when the first Europeans
17:22 when the first Europeans
17:22 when the first Europeans accidentally sighted this isolated
accidentally sighted this isolated
accidentally sighted this isolated island in the South Pacific
island in the South Pacific
island in the South Pacific Easter Island has presented a dilemma
Easter Island has presented a dilemma
Easter Island has presented a dilemma for explorers scientists and today an
for explorers scientists and today an
for explorers scientists and today an increasing number of tourists but it was
increasing number of tourists but it was
increasing number of tourists but it was here on Rapa Nui or Easter Island more
here on Rapa Nui or Easter Island more
here on Rapa Nui or Easter Island more than two thousand kilometres from
than two thousand kilometres from
than two thousand kilometres from another Polynesian island nearly 4000
another Polynesian island nearly 4000
another Polynesian island nearly 4000 kilometers from the coast of Chile
kilometers from the coast of Chile
kilometers from the coast of Chile apparently without influence from other
apparently without influence from other
apparently without influence from other cultures that a prehistoric society
cultures that a prehistoric society
cultures that a prehistoric society evolved and produced the greatest
evolved and produced the greatest
evolved and produced the greatest monuments and feats of engineering in
monuments and feats of engineering in
monuments and feats of engineering in all of Polynesia really in all of the
all of Polynesia really in all of the
all of Polynesia really in all of the world for that matter
world for that matter
world for that matter well Rapa Nui is small it’s very small
well Rapa Nui is small it’s very small
well Rapa Nui is small it’s very small and it is isolated this is it you’re
and it is isolated this is it you’re
and it is isolated this is it you’re looking at the whole island if we
looking at the whole island if we
looking at the whole island if we understand the size if we take a look at
understand the size if we take a look at
understand the size if we take a look at Washington DC and we superimpose Rapa
Washington DC and we superimpose Rapa
Washington DC and we superimpose Rapa Nui onto it gives you an appreciation
Nui onto it gives you an appreciation
Nui onto it gives you an appreciation for its size that’s the right reaction
Easter islands moai now multi tons
Easter islands moai now multi tons statues some measuring more than 20
statues some measuring more than 20
statues some measuring more than 20 meters in length and weighing more than
meters in length and weighing more than
meters in length and weighing more than 75 tons were carved out of the islands
75 tons were carved out of the islands
75 tons were carved out of the islands quarry of volcanic tuff and then
quarry of volcanic tuff and then
quarry of volcanic tuff and then transported some of them several miles
transported some of them several miles
transported some of them several miles over the islands rugged terrain these
over the islands rugged terrain these
over the islands rugged terrain these statues were then placed on impressive
statues were then placed on impressive
statues were then placed on impressive platforms called ahoo and this whole
platforms called ahoo and this whole
platforms called ahoo and this whole business of giant statues and platforms
business of giant statues and platforms
business of giant statues and platforms really cries out for an explanation what
really cries out for an explanation what
really cries out for an explanation what on earth is going on here well the moai
on earth is going on here well the moai
on earth is going on here well the moai were religious statuary like those found
were religious statuary like those found
were religious statuary like those found elsewhere in Polynesia but had the
elsewhere in Polynesia but had the
elsewhere in Polynesia but had the Society carved and transported just one
Society carved and transported just one
Society carved and transported just one or two of these statues the
or two of these statues the
or two of these statues the accomplishment would have been
accomplishment would have been
accomplishment would have been noteworthy but actually not that
noteworthy but actually not that
noteworthy but actually not that surprising other islands in Polynesia
surprising other islands in Polynesia
surprising other islands in Polynesia have impressive stone statues and some
have impressive stone statues and some
have impressive stone statues and some of them were even moved significant
of them were even moved significant
of them were even moved significant distances but by our own count the
distances but by our own count the
distances but by our own count the Islanders carved almost a thousand
Islanders carved almost a thousand
Islanders carved almost a thousand statues more than 400 of these were
statues more than 400 of these were
statues more than 400 of these were transported over rough terrain some
transported over rough terrain some
transported over rough terrain some reaching every corner of the island
reaching every corner of the island
reaching every corner of the island nowhere else in Polynesia had this
nowhere else in Polynesia had this
nowhere else in Polynesia had this happened why did it happen on Rapa Nui
happened why did it happen on Rapa Nui
happened why did it happen on Rapa Nui an island where people should have been
an island where people should have been
an island where people should have been focused on where to find their next meal
focused on where to find their next meal
focused on where to find their next meal how could a relatively poor society have
how could a relatively poor society have
how could a relatively poor society have produced such impressive monuments were
produced such impressive monuments were
produced such impressive monuments were people more numerous with more resources
people more numerous with more resources
people more numerous with more resources in the past what happened when did it
in the past what happened when did it
in the past what happened when did it happen and why these are the sort of
happen and why these are the sort of
happen and why these are the sort of enduring questions that we think of as
enduring questions that we think of as
enduring questions that we think of as the mystery of Easter Island
the mystery of Easter Island
the mystery of Easter Island generally speaking Rapa Nui might have
generally speaking Rapa Nui might have
generally speaking Rapa Nui might have just remained the of interest to just a
just remained the of interest to just a
just remained the of interest to just a small group of researchers but its story
small group of researchers but its story
small group of researchers but its story has grown to have a greater impact to us
has grown to have a greater impact to us
has grown to have a greater impact to us it’s been given a modern message and a
it’s been given a modern message and a
it’s been given a modern message and a warning for today’s grow global problems
warning for today’s grow global problems
warning for today’s grow global problems Rapa Nui has been offered up as an
Rapa Nui has been offered up as an
Rapa Nui has been offered up as an example of a society that overexploited
example of a society that overexploited
example of a society that overexploited its own resources and destroyed itself
its own resources and destroyed itself
its own resources and destroyed itself Jared Diamond describes this as ecocide
Jared Diamond describes this as ecocide
Jared Diamond describes this as ecocide for ecological suicide here’s our
for ecological suicide here’s our
for ecological suicide here’s our summary of the popular view of events as
summary of the popular view of events as
summary of the popular view of events as presented by diamond and others
presented by diamond and others
presented by diamond and others Polynesian settlers colonize the islands
Polynesian settlers colonize the islands
Polynesian settlers colonize the islands sometime between 400 and 800 AD
sometime between 400 and 800 AD
sometime between 400 and 800 AD centuries later elites gain control of
centuries later elites gain control of
centuries later elites gain control of the island and with a population that
the island and with a population that
the island and with a population that had grown too large competition ensued
had grown too large competition ensued
had grown too large competition ensued for power and prestige consequently they
for power and prestige consequently they
for power and prestige consequently they redirected a significant portion of the
redirected a significant portion of the
redirected a significant portion of the islands resources and human energy into
islands resources and human energy into
islands resources and human energy into insanely competitive statue building
insanely competitive statue building
insanely competitive statue building cult that some have called a moai mania
cult that some have called a moai mania
cult that some have called a moai mania this practice continues until it
this practice continues until it
this practice continues until it literally took down the islands fragile
literally took down the islands fragile
literally took down the islands fragile ecology and reduced the population to
ecology and reduced the population to
ecology and reduced the population to the poor state in which Europeans found
the poor state in which Europeans found
the poor state in which Europeans found it in the 18th century
it in the 18th century
it in the 18th century so this account as told in this but by
so this account as told in this but by
so this account as told in this but by many is often taken as a given people
many is often taken as a given people
many is often taken as a given people just assume it’s true the story though
just assume it’s true the story though
just assume it’s true the story though isn’t isn’t a brand-new story it
isn’t isn’t a brand-new story it
isn’t isn’t a brand-new story it actually emerges with the speculation of
actually emerges with the speculation of
actually emerges with the speculation of some of the earliest European visitors
some of the earliest European visitors
some of the earliest European visitors French explorer la puros who visited the
French explorer la puros who visited the
French explorer la puros who visited the island for a single day in April of 1786
island for a single day in April of 1786
island for a single day in April of 1786 suggested that the president unfortunate
suggested that the president unfortunate
suggested that the president unfortunate condition of the Eastern Islanders was
condition of the Eastern Islanders was
condition of the Eastern Islanders was due to the imprudence of the ancestors
due to the imprudence of the ancestors
due to the imprudence of the ancestors who at some very distant time in the
who at some very distant time in the
who at some very distant time in the past had cut
past had cut
past had cut down there one natural resource a dense
down there one natural resource a dense
down there one natural resource a dense forest this imprudence in destroying
forest this imprudence in destroying
forest this imprudence in destroying their forest forms the foundation of
their forest forms the foundation of
their forest forms the foundation of what a lot of what we think about what
what a lot of what we think about what
what a lot of what we think about what we think we know about the island it is
we think we know about the island it is
we think we know about the island it is really directly behind much of the
really directly behind much of the
really directly behind much of the accounts of Rapa Nui as the site of some
accounts of Rapa Nui as the site of some
accounts of Rapa Nui as the site of some kind of prehistoric catastrophe well
kind of prehistoric catastrophe well
kind of prehistoric catastrophe well modern research confirmed that there was
modern research confirmed that there was
modern research confirmed that there was a dense forest and it led some to
a dense forest and it led some to
a dense forest and it led some to speculate that people had foolishly
speculate that people had foolishly
speculate that people had foolishly called for the forest to be taken down
called for the forest to be taken down
called for the forest to be taken down to provide tens of thousands of logs
to provide tens of thousands of logs
to provide tens of thousands of logs needed to transport the giant statues
needed to transport the giant statues
needed to transport the giant statues from the quarry to their shoreline
from the quarry to their shoreline
from the quarry to their shoreline location Jared Diamond would suggest
location Jared Diamond would suggest
location Jared Diamond would suggest that more trees had to be cut down for
that more trees had to be cut down for
that more trees had to be cut down for additional agricultural fields to feed a
additional agricultural fields to feed a
additional agricultural fields to feed a rapidly growing population and the
rapidly growing population and the
rapidly growing population and the thousands of workers who were forced to
thousands of workers who were forced to
thousands of workers who were forced to make and move the giant statues
make and move the giant statues
make and move the giant statues according to Diamond the population
according to Diamond the population
according to Diamond the population exploded reaching more than 15,000
exploded reaching more than 15,000
exploded reaching more than 15,000 forests disappeared and eventually
forests disappeared and eventually
forests disappeared and eventually agriculture failed together these two
agriculture failed together these two
agriculture failed together these two factors uncontrolled population growth
factors uncontrolled population growth
factors uncontrolled population growth and over exploitation of the land
and over exploitation of the land
and over exploitation of the land resulted in a critical drop of the
resulted in a critical drop of the
resulted in a critical drop of the islands carrying capacity to make
islands carrying capacity to make
islands carrying capacity to make matters worse the loss of forests meant
matters worse the loss of forests meant
matters worse the loss of forests meant that people could no longer carve new
that people could no longer carve new
that people could no longer carve new canoes for deep-sea fishing as well
canoes for deep-sea fishing as well
canoes for deep-sea fishing as well without seaworthy vessels the excess
without seaworthy vessels the excess
without seaworthy vessels the excess population could not be sent off in
population could not be sent off in
population could not be sent off in search of new land as they had in the
search of new land as they had in the
search of new land as they had in the past in essence according to this
past in essence according to this
past in essence according to this version of history the Rapa Nui were
version of history the Rapa Nui were
version of history the Rapa Nui were marooned on an island they had
marooned on an island they had
marooned on an island they had impoverished by their own imprudent
impoverished by their own imprudent
impoverished by their own imprudent actions increasing competition over
actions increasing competition over
actions increasing competition over limited resources Diamond believed led
limited resources Diamond believed led
limited resources Diamond believed led to warfare and finally cannibalism and
to warfare and finally cannibalism and
to warfare and finally cannibalism and chaos this happened just before so it
chaos this happened just before so it
chaos this happened just before so it said Europeans arrived to see the
said Europeans arrived to see the
said Europeans arrived to see the remnants of a once thriving society that
remnants of a once thriving society that
remnants of a once thriving society that had destroyed its environment and as a
had destroyed its environment and as a
had destroyed its environment and as a result destroyed itself as diamond put
result destroyed itself as diamond put
result destroyed itself as diamond put it the Islanders had committed ecocide
it the Islanders had committed ecocide
it the Islanders had committed ecocide is this what really happened well in
is this what really happened well in
is this what really happened well in 2001 we began intensive fieldwork on
2001 we began intensive fieldwork on
2001 we began intensive fieldwork on Easter Island five years later and after
Easter Island five years later and after
Easter Island five years later and after as many seasons of fieldwork the story
as many seasons of fieldwork the story
as many seasons of fieldwork the story that we believed was pretty
that we believed was pretty
that we believed was pretty accurate was really falling apart before
accurate was really falling apart before
accurate was really falling apart before our eyes it didn’t add up one aspect of
our eyes it didn’t add up one aspect of
our eyes it didn’t add up one aspect of this was that the idea that the statues
this was that the idea that the statues
this was that the idea that the statues had been knocked over in this period of
had been knocked over in this period of
had been knocked over in this period of chaos and cannibalism and that warring
chaos and cannibalism and that warring
chaos and cannibalism and that warring tribes out of revenge went and knocked
tribes out of revenge went and knocked
tribes out of revenge went and knocked the statues down and this is supposed to
the statues down and this is supposed to
the statues down and this is supposed to happen around 1680 AD before Europeans
happen around 1680 AD before Europeans
happen around 1680 AD before Europeans arrived in 1722 well there’s a little
arrived in 1722 well there’s a little
arrived in 1722 well there’s a little problem and you can take you know a
problem and you can take you know a
problem and you can take you know a couple of minutes today on Google and
couple of minutes today on Google and
couple of minutes today on Google and see that wait a minute
see that wait a minute
see that wait a minute Europeans are illustrating standing
Europeans are illustrating standing
Europeans are illustrating standing statues in and platforms in a pretty
statues in and platforms in a pretty
statues in and platforms in a pretty good state well a researcher a historian
good state well a researcher a historian
good state well a researcher a historian and an engineer got together and
and an engineer got together and
and an engineer got together and speculated that something else might be
speculated that something else might be
speculated that something else might be going on this reminder from Stanford
going on this reminder from Stanford
going on this reminder from Stanford University’s web pages and a historic
University’s web pages and a historic
University’s web pages and a historic photo thereof Louie Agassiz reminds us
photo thereof Louie Agassiz reminds us
photo thereof Louie Agassiz reminds us that sometimes statues fall over in
that sometimes statues fall over in
that sometimes statues fall over in earthquakes and the researchers on Rapa
earthquakes and the researchers on Rapa
earthquakes and the researchers on Rapa Nui speculated actually hypothesize with
Nui speculated actually hypothesize with
Nui speculated actually hypothesize with pretty good evidence that this might be
pretty good evidence that this might be
pretty good evidence that this might be what happened there that statues
what happened there that statues
what happened there that statues actually came down after European
actually came down after European
actually came down after European contact with earthquakes if they were
contact with earthquakes if they were
contact with earthquakes if they were never actually pulled down by warring
never actually pulled down by warring
never actually pulled down by warring tribes the other the other one one other
tribes the other the other one one other
tribes the other the other one one other piece of evidence here is supposedly
piece of evidence here is supposedly
piece of evidence here is supposedly there is a proliferation of weapons of
there is a proliferation of weapons of
there is a proliferation of weapons of mass destruction that look like this
mass destruction that look like this
mass destruction that look like this yeah this is a matam and in it’s a
yeah this is a matam and in it’s a
yeah this is a matam and in it’s a stemmed obsidian artifact and there are
stemmed obsidian artifact and there are
stemmed obsidian artifact and there are thousands of these artifacts on the
thousands of these artifacts on the
thousands of these artifacts on the island you find them everywhere and the
island you find them everywhere and the
island you find them everywhere and the museum has tens of thousands of these in
museum has tens of thousands of these in
museum has tens of thousands of these in their collections and these are
their collections and these are
their collections and these are supposedly the weapons well we looked at
supposedly the weapons well we looked at
supposedly the weapons well we looked at literally hundreds of these in the
literally hundreds of these in the
literally hundreds of these in the museum collections and only once in a
museum collections and only once in a
museum collections and only once in a while is there one that’s even vaguely
while is there one that’s even vaguely
while is there one that’s even vaguely pointed and if you wanted to make
pointed and if you wanted to make
pointed and if you wanted to make weapons you would probably make them
weapons you would probably make them
weapons you would probably make them pointed more importantly there are
pointed more importantly there are
pointed more importantly there are several studies independent studies
several studies independent studies
several studies independent studies where archaeologists have studied the
where archaeologists have studied the
where archaeologists have studied the edge of these tools under a microscope
edge of these tools under a microscope
edge of these tools under a microscope and what they see is that these tools
and what they see is that these tools
and what they see is that these tools were used in cutting and scraping plant
were used in cutting and scraping plant
were used in cutting and scraping plant materials they are not weapons they
materials they are not weapons they
materials they are not weapons they don’t have blood on them and things like
don’t have blood on them and things like
don’t have blood on them and things like that so
that so
that so what was supposed to be weapons of mass
what was supposed to be weapons of mass
what was supposed to be weapons of mass destruction basically pocket knives for
destruction basically pocket knives for
destruction basically pocket knives for working on agricultural products so
working on agricultural products so
working on agricultural products so perhaps out the warfare that they’ve
perhaps out the warfare that they’ve
perhaps out the warfare that they’ve been implicated in well the answer here
been implicated in well the answer here
been implicated in well the answer here is that there really is no evidence of a
is that there really is no evidence of a
is that there really is no evidence of a collapse before European contact the
collapse before European contact the
collapse before European contact the collapse occurred with European contact
collapse occurred with European contact
collapse occurred with European contact and as a result of it
and as a result of it
and as a result of it Europeans introduced old-world diseases
Europeans introduced old-world diseases
Europeans introduced old-world diseases and this scene of cooks visit to the
and this scene of cooks visit to the
and this scene of cooks visit to the island where he describes skeletons
island where he describes skeletons
island where he describes skeletons covering the surface and speculates
covering the surface and speculates
covering the surface and speculates about where are all the people probably
about where are all the people probably
about where are all the people probably was witness to an epidemic that had
was witness to an epidemic that had
was witness to an epidemic that had occurred just a few years earlier with
occurred just a few years earlier with
occurred just a few years earlier with the visit of the Spanish in 1770 so the
the visit of the Spanish in 1770 so the
the visit of the Spanish in 1770 so the story gets a little worse of course
story gets a little worse of course
story gets a little worse of course because in the early 19th century slave
because in the early 19th century slave
because in the early 19th century slave trading began and the island was raided
trading began and the island was raided
trading began and the island was raided on a regular basis ruffinelli people
on a regular basis ruffinelli people
on a regular basis ruffinelli people were taken by force at gunpoint and
were taken by force at gunpoint and
were taken by force at gunpoint and forced into laboring in South America
forced into laboring in South America
forced into laboring in South America and in parts of Polynesia so sadly what
and in parts of Polynesia so sadly what
and in parts of Polynesia so sadly what we see here is we’ve got a popular idea
we see here is we’ve got a popular idea
we see here is we’ve got a popular idea of ecocide but what really happened was
of ecocide but what really happened was
of ecocide but what really happened was a near genocide that devastated the
a near genocide that devastated the
a near genocide that devastated the culture and the population as the result
culture and the population as the result
culture and the population as the result of European contact and very sadly the
of European contact and very sadly the
of European contact and very sadly the victims of cultural and physical
victims of cultural and physical
victims of cultural and physical extermination have been blamed as
extermination have been blamed as
extermination have been blamed as perpetrators of their own demise well
perpetrators of their own demise well
perpetrators of their own demise well this realization about what was going on
this realization about what was going on
this realization about what was going on on the island and the old story falling
on the island and the old story falling
on the island and the old story falling apart meant that we had many questions
apart meant that we had many questions
apart meant that we had many questions to ask and our research really began to
to ask and our research really began to
to ask and our research really began to open up because a lot of things we
open up because a lot of things we
open up because a lot of things we believed were true turned out not to be
believed were true turned out not to be
believed were true turned out not to be one obvious question that that of course
one obvious question that that of course
one obvious question that that of course many have posed up and that became very
many have posed up and that became very
many have posed up and that became very important here in understanding the
important here in understanding the
important here in understanding the archaeological record was how many
archaeological record was how many
archaeological record was how many people did it take really did it take to
people did it take really did it take to
people did it take really did it take to move a statue did it really take
move a statue did it really take
move a statue did it really take thousands of people cutting down
thousands of people cutting down
thousands of people cutting down millions of trees thereby bringing down
millions of trees thereby bringing down
millions of trees thereby bringing down a society and its ecology as the
a society and its ecology as the
a society and its ecology as the traditional story goes is this really
traditional story goes is this really
traditional story goes is this really what it takes to
what it takes to
what it takes to make and move statues around so we
make and move statues around so we
make and move statues around so we started to explore that generally
started to explore that generally
started to explore that generally speaking the archaeological what
speaking the archaeological what
speaking the archaeological what archaeological explanations for how
archaeological explanations for how
archaeological explanations for how statues remove all involve one form or
statues remove all involve one form or
statues remove all involve one form or another some kind of wooden contraption
another some kind of wooden contraption
another some kind of wooden contraption and this connections with a contraption
and this connections with a contraption
and this connections with a contraption or some kind of wooden is really
or some kind of wooden is really
or some kind of wooden is really important for the the sort of
important for the the sort of
important for the the sort of traditional narrative because it’s the
traditional narrative because it’s the
traditional narrative because it’s the mechanism by which the forest gets cut
mechanism by which the forest gets cut
mechanism by which the forest gets cut down both for clearing land for food to
down both for clearing land for food to
down both for clearing land for food to support people who move the statues as
support people who move the statues as
support people who move the statues as well as the resources required to make
well as the resources required to make
well as the resources required to make the contraptions to move the statues
the contraptions to move the statues
the contraptions to move the statues around so this connection a lot of the
around so this connection a lot of the
around so this connection a lot of the explanations really put these two things
explanations really put these two things
explanations really put these two things together
together
together here’s rano raraku this is the quarry
here’s rano raraku this is the quarry
here’s rano raraku this is the quarry from which 99% of the statues were made
from which 99% of the statues were made
from which 99% of the statues were made and then moved from there and we can see
and then moved from there and we can see
and then moved from there and we can see all the statues that are stet we’re
all the statues that are stet we’re
all the statues that are stet we’re going to basically finish ready to be
going to basically finish ready to be
going to basically finish ready to be moved out and we can explain exactly why
moved out and we can explain exactly why
moved out and we can explain exactly why some of them are still there when we
some of them are still there when we
some of them are still there when we look at the quarry itself we see a sort
look at the quarry itself we see a sort
look at the quarry itself we see a sort of a pattern step-like pattern of
of a pattern step-like pattern of
of a pattern step-like pattern of construction and really this is well
construction and really this is well
construction and really this is well very visible and something you can go
very visible and something you can go
very visible and something you can go and observe you visit Rapa Nui today the
and observe you visit Rapa Nui today the
and observe you visit Rapa Nui today the statues are carved out of the bedrock
statues are carved out of the bedrock
statues are carved out of the bedrock and you see an a here the top side is
and you see an a here the top side is
and you see an a here the top side is carved out until they get to the
carved out until they get to the
carved out until they get to the underneath the statue where that the two
underneath the statue where that the two
underneath the statue where that the two sides the carving meets the create sort
sides the carving meets the create sort
sides the carving meets the create sort of a keel so the back is really
of a keel so the back is really
of a keel so the back is really unfinished as it’s carved out of the
unfinished as it’s carved out of the
unfinished as it’s carved out of the bedrock then once it’s broken from the
bedrock then once it’s broken from the
bedrock then once it’s broken from the bedrock it slid down the slope and
bedrock it slid down the slope and
bedrock it slid down the slope and generally the statues that are in the
generally the statues that are in the
generally the statues that are in the bedrock are up high on the slopes and
bedrock are up high on the slopes and
bedrock are up high on the slopes and this is important because it’s part of
this is important because it’s part of
this is important because it’s part of making them moving them from those
making them moving them from those
making them moving them from those locations is relatively easy because you
locations is relatively easy because you
locations is relatively easy because you can just slide them down the slopes and
can just slide them down the slopes and
can just slide them down the slopes and we can see that they’re slid down the
we can see that they’re slid down the
we can see that they’re slid down the slopes and then stood upright at the
slopes and then stood upright at the
slopes and then stood upright at the base of the slope in pits and we can see
base of the slope in pits and we can see
base of the slope in pits and we can see there’s a lot of the statues that you
there’s a lot of the statues that you
there’s a lot of the statues that you see outside and the quarry are standing
see outside and the quarry are standing
see outside and the quarry are standing up often buried up to their heads but
up often buried up to their heads but
up often buried up to their heads but though they’re actually in pits dug by
though they’re actually in pits dug by
though they’re actually in pits dug by prehistoric people and they’re put there
prehistoric people and they’re put there
prehistoric people and they’re put there in order to finish the statues because
in order to finish the statues because
in order to finish the statues because on the top part where they’re first
on the top part where they’re first
on the top part where they’re first carving them out of the bedrock they’re
carving them out of the bedrock they’re
carving them out of the bedrock they’re unable to finish the backside of them
unable to finish the backside of them
unable to finish the backside of them and so when they’re standing up they’re
and so when they’re standing up they’re
and so when they’re standing up they’re able to get to the backside and then
able to get to the backside and then
able to get to the backside and then complete the backend of the statue and
complete the backend of the statue and
complete the backend of the statue and prepare it for this next step which is
prepare it for this next step which is
prepare it for this next step which is transportation once they’re in the in
transportation once they’re in the in
transportation once they’re in the in the pits they’re actually in a standing
the pits they’re actually in a standing
the pits they’re actually in a standing position and then they’re moved out of
position and then they’re moved out of
position and then they’re moved out of there so they carve out the rest of the
there so they carve out the rest of the
there so they carve out the rest of the pit to create a trench to move the
pit to create a trench to move the
pit to create a trench to move the statues out we also see some real inter
statues out we also see some real inter
statues out we also see some real inter seeing differences in terms of the forms
seeing differences in terms of the forms
seeing differences in terms of the forms of the statues the ones that are on the
of the statues the ones that are on the
of the statues the ones that are on the roads versus the ones that are on the
roads versus the ones that are on the
roads versus the ones that are on the platforms the roads that are the moai
platforms the roads that are the moai
platforms the roads that are the moai that are on the roads tend to have a
that are on the roads tend to have a
that are on the roads tend to have a much wider base and have a really
much wider base and have a really
much wider base and have a really interesting forward lean the bases are
interesting forward lean the bases are
interesting forward lean the bases are actually angled so the statues are
actually angled so the statues are
actually angled so the statues are leaning very far forward to degree to
leaning very far forward to degree to
leaning very far forward to degree to which they actually can’t stand up on
which they actually can’t stand up on
which they actually can’t stand up on their own you have to actually prop them
their own you have to actually prop them
their own you have to actually prop them backwards to keep them standing in
backwards to keep them standing in
backwards to keep them standing in contrast the statues that are on the
contrast the statues that are on the
contrast the statues that are on the platform are actually straight up and
platform are actually straight up and
platform are actually straight up and down and have a great center of mass
down and have a great center of mass
down and have a great center of mass that makes them very stable which again
that makes them very stable which again
that makes them very stable which again what you would want to have a statute
what you would want to have a statute
what you would want to have a statute you’re going to put it on a pedestal
you’re going to put it on a pedestal
you’re going to put it on a pedestal you’d want it to be stable so it doesn’t
you’d want it to be stable so it doesn’t
you’d want it to be stable so it doesn’t fall down and crush you so these the
fall down and crush you so these the
fall down and crush you so these the differences between those is really
differences between those is really
differences between those is really telling us they’re shaped in a certain
telling us they’re shaped in a certain
telling us they’re shaped in a certain way before they get to the Yahoo and
way before they get to the Yahoo and
way before they get to the Yahoo and then once they get there they’re free to
then once they get there they’re free to
then once they get there they’re free to change them in addition the stat the
change them in addition the stat the
change them in addition the stat the statues that are at the platform have
statues that are at the platform have
statues that are at the platform have eyes carved into them the last step in
eyes carved into them the last step in
eyes carved into them the last step in carving the statue and finishing them
carving the statue and finishing them
carving the statue and finishing them before they’re they’re ready for the
before they’re they’re ready for the
before they’re they’re ready for the religious adorn and other activities
religious adorn and other activities
religious adorn and other activities that go on with that Native people
that go on with that Native people
that go on with that Native people practice there so in order to sort of
practice there so in order to sort of
practice there so in order to sort of explore explore this idea that there’s
explore explore this idea that there’s
explore explore this idea that there’s move standing and how this might
move standing and how this might
move standing and how this might actually work and in some of the physics
actually work and in some of the physics
actually work and in some of the physics of it we built a three-dimensional model
of it we built a three-dimensional model
of it we built a three-dimensional model a digital model to look at how the how
a digital model to look at how the how
a digital model to look at how the how the the center of mass might work and
the the center of mass might work and
the the center of mass might work and how these things that actually might be
how these things that actually might be
how these things that actually might be manipulated in order to make them moved
manipulated in order to make them moved
manipulated in order to make them moved we use the digital imagery lots of
we use the digital imagery lots of
we use the digital imagery lots of photographs that were then were merged
photographs that were then were merged
photographs that were then were merged together to create a three-dimensional
together to create a three-dimensional
together to create a three-dimensional point cloud which represented a statue
point cloud which represented a statue
point cloud which represented a statue and in the end it produced a really
and in the end it produced a really
and in the end it produced a really precise digital replica of a statue now
precise digital replica of a statue now
precise digital replica of a statue now the important part is this replica is of
the important part is this replica is of
the important part is this replica is of a road statue the statues once they get
a road statue the statues once they get
a road statue the statues once they get on they ah who are modified in order to
on they ah who are modified in order to
on they ah who are modified in order to be stable and ready for being on the
be stable and ready for being on the
be stable and ready for being on the platform but those ones in the road
platform but those ones in the road
platform but those ones in the road which this is a replica
which this is a replica
which this is a replica have these specific features of the
have these specific features of the
have these specific features of the angled base and the wide the wide basis
angled base and the wide the wide basis
angled base and the wide the wide basis and the forward leaning parts of it too
and the forward leaning parts of it too
and the forward leaning parts of it too so using this digital replica and then
so using this digital replica and then
so using this digital replica and then supported by the National Geographic
supported by the National Geographic
supported by the National Geographic expeditions Council we generated an
expeditions Council we generated an
expeditions Council we generated an actual replica a 5 ton ten-foot tall
actual replica a 5 ton ten-foot tall
actual replica a 5 ton ten-foot tall concrete replica of a road statue that
concrete replica of a road statue that
concrete replica of a road statue that precisely modeled a real statue that’s
precisely modeled a real statue that’s
precisely modeled a real statue that’s on Easter Island this five
on Easter Island this five
on Easter Island this five ton ten-foot-tall replica we called it
ton ten-foot-tall replica we called it
ton ten-foot-tall replica we called it named it ho to ET and it is literally
named it ho to ET and it is literally
named it ho to ET and it is literally one of the most in moving countered and
one of the most in moving countered and
one of the most in moving countered and we were we took on the task of trying to
we were we took on the task of trying to
we were we took on the task of trying to see if we could get it to move in a
see if we could get it to move in a
see if we could get it to move in a standing position set to replicate what
standing position set to replicate what
standing position set to replicate what we thought was going on pre historically
we thought was going on pre historically
we thought was going on pre historically what we ended up with is a model that is
what we ended up with is a model that is
what we ended up with is a model that is consistent with the evidence the
consistent with the evidence the
consistent with the evidence the archaeological evidence and consistent
archaeological evidence and consistent
archaeological evidence and consistent with basic physics about how you might
with basic physics about how you might
with basic physics about how you might move something that is this tall at
move something that is this tall at
move something that is this tall at using the features of the center of mass
using the features of the center of mass
using the features of the center of mass of this statue itself in order to assist
of this statue itself in order to assist
of this statue itself in order to assist you in doing so the statue basically by
you in doing so the statue basically by
you in doing so the statue basically by rocket by hat because it has a forward
rocket by hat because it has a forward
rocket by hat because it has a forward lean by rocking it back and forth what
lean by rocking it back and forth what
lean by rocking it back and forth what happens is that the statue tends to fall
happens is that the statue tends to fall
happens is that the statue tends to fall forward and as it falls forward on the
forward and as it falls forward on the
forward and as it falls forward on the front edge it actually takes a step so
front edge it actually takes a step so
front edge it actually takes a step so each time you walk forward you get it
each time you walk forward you get it
each time you walk forward you get it you get a step in a twist and so you get
you get a step in a twist and so you get
you get a step in a twist and so you get this rocking and rolling motion that
this rocking and rolling motion that
this rocking and rolling motion that causes the statue to move forward and so
causes the statue to move forward and so
causes the statue to move forward and so it’s essentially what we expected to
it’s essentially what we expected to
it’s essentially what we expected to happen was if we could figure out where
happen was if we could figure out where
happen was if we could figure out where to tie the ropes and if we could pull
to tie the ropes and if we could pull
to tie the ropes and if we could pull the things in the right direction the
the things in the right direction the
the things in the right direction the statue should actually start to take
statue should actually start to take
statue should actually start to take steps and move on its own well it’s
steps and move on its own well it’s
steps and move on its own well it’s great to talk about that in sections say
great to talk about that in sections say
great to talk about that in sections say yes well this definitely shows this is
yes well this definitely shows this is
yes well this definitely shows this is possible and so we took Howe to ET and
possible and so we took Howe to ET and
possible and so we took Howe to ET and actually took on the task of trying to
actually took on the task of trying to
actually took on the task of trying to make this happen and we got the results
make this happen and we got the results
make this happen and we got the results here this of course is at the end of
here this of course is at the end of
here this of course is at the end of several days of lots of things that
several days of lots of things that
several days of lots of things that didn’t work but uh yeah but once we
didn’t work but uh yeah but once we
didn’t work but uh yeah but once we really we had to trust the statue to be
really we had to trust the statue to be
really we had to trust the statue to be shaped in a way that it would do its
shaped in a way that it would do its
shaped in a way that it would do its thing and once it once we put in the
thing and once it once we put in the
thing and once it once we put in the right things it just did its own it
right things it just did its own it
right things it just did its own it started to walk and it was easy once it
started to walk and it was easy once it
started to walk and it was easy once it got going
you see people pulling basically one arm
you see people pulling basically one arm [Music]
[Music]
[Music] sir thank you that is a lot of fun we we
sir thank you that is a lot of fun we we
sir thank you that is a lot of fun we we were we were very happy when that
were we were very happy when that
were we were very happy when that happened and here it is with the
happened and here it is with the
happened and here it is with the beautiful artwork from National
beautiful artwork from National
beautiful artwork from National Geographic what was remarkable to us is
Geographic what was remarkable to us is
Geographic what was remarkable to us is that once we we sort of removed our own
that once we we sort of removed our own
that once we we sort of removed our own preconceptions about what needed to be
preconceptions about what needed to be
preconceptions about what needed to be done the statute really was engineered
done the statute really was engineered
done the statute really was engineered to do this it was really the center of
to do this it was really the center of
to do this it was really the center of mass was such that that it wanted to
mass was such that that it wanted to
mass was such that that it wanted to walk all we had to do was not assume
walk all we had to do was not assume
walk all we had to do was not assume that we had to drag it in a particular
that we had to drag it in a particular
that we had to drag it in a particular twist it it was really just input in
twist it it was really just input in
twist it it was really just input in putting the right amount of twist mind
putting the right amount of twist mind
putting the right amount of twist mind amount of energy and it was really built
amount of energy and it was really built
amount of energy and it was really built to walk we were able to move it 100
to walk we were able to move it 100
to walk we were able to move it 100 meters in about 40 minutes really is a
meters in about 40 minutes really is a
meters in about 40 minutes really is a trivial kind of amount of energy but
trivial kind of amount of energy but
trivial kind of amount of energy but really that’s a more testament to the
really that’s a more testament to the
really that’s a more testament to the amount of engineering that went into
amount of engineering that went into
amount of engineering that went into making these things so that was possible
making these things so that was possible
making these things so that was possible in fact really easy to move so really
in fact really easy to move so really
in fact really easy to move so really wasn’t armies of people necessary to do
wasn’t armies of people necessary to do
wasn’t armies of people necessary to do this small groups could have done this
this small groups could have done this
this small groups could have done this family sized groups could have made
family sized groups could have made
family sized groups could have made these statues moving and the question
these statues moving and the question
these statues moving and the question about well this is only a five ton
about well this is only a five ton
about well this is only a five ton statues and only 10 feet tall what about
statues and only 10 feet tall what about
statues and only 10 feet tall what about the larger ones well in fact this method
the larger ones well in fact this method
the larger ones well in fact this method of moving wouldn’t necessarily require
of moving wouldn’t necessarily require
of moving wouldn’t necessarily require you know to make it 20 foot statue
you know to make it 20 foot statue
you know to make it 20 foot statue wouldn’t require two times the people
wouldn’t require two times the people
wouldn’t require two times the people because as they get taller you actually
because as they get taller you actually
because as they get taller you actually get more leverage to be able to tilt it
get more leverage to be able to tilt it
get more leverage to be able to tilt it back and forth so it actually may have
back and forth so it actually may have
back and forth so it actually may have not required a lot more people as the
not required a lot more people as the
not required a lot more people as the statues got larger and larger well we
statues got larger and larger well we
statues got larger and larger well we want to propose to you that well this is
want to propose to you that well this is
want to propose to you that well this is absolutely amazing it’s perhaps not the
absolutely amazing it’s perhaps not the
absolutely amazing it’s perhaps not the greatest achievement of the ancient
greatest achievement of the ancient
greatest achievement of the ancient Islanders it was the great in fact the
Islanders it was the great in fact the
Islanders it was the great in fact the greatest achievement was creating a
greatest achievement was creating a
greatest achievement was creating a sustainable society that survived for
sustainable society that survived for
sustainable society that survived for about 500 years on a remote and
about 500 years on a remote and
about 500 years on a remote and difficult island while sailing over
difficult island while sailing over
difficult island while sailing over 3,000 kilometers from central Polynesia
3,000 kilometers from central Polynesia
3,000 kilometers from central Polynesia the colonists of Rapa Nui were no doubt
the colonists of Rapa Nui were no doubt
the colonists of Rapa Nui were no doubt happy to find land in the empty and
happy to find land in the empty and
happy to find land in the empty and turbulent seas of the southwestern
turbulent seas of the southwestern
turbulent seas of the southwestern Pacific but they may have been a little
Pacific but they may have been a little
Pacific but they may have been a little disappointed when they examined their
disappointed when they examined their
disappointed when they examined their new home unlike many other islands in
new home unlike many other islands in
new home unlike many other islands in paulin
paulin
paulin Asia perhaps like the area that they
Asia perhaps like the area that they
Asia perhaps like the area that they came from in central Polynesia Rapa Nui
came from in central Polynesia Rapa Nui
came from in central Polynesia Rapa Nui had no natural streams the colonists
had no natural streams the colonists
had no natural streams the colonists would soon learn that growing their
would soon learn that growing their
would soon learn that growing their crops would rely only on rainfall well
crops would rely only on rainfall well
crops would rely only on rainfall well I’m afraid there was more bad news the
I’m afraid there was more bad news the
I’m afraid there was more bad news the waters around Rapa Nui are not
waters around Rapa Nui are not
waters around Rapa Nui are not particularly rich with fish our
particularly rich with fish our
particularly rich with fish our excavations revealed that most of the
excavations revealed that most of the
excavations revealed that most of the fish were from the rocky near shore
fish were from the rocky near shore
fish were from the rocky near shore waters large deep-sea fish such as tuna
waters large deep-sea fish such as tuna
waters large deep-sea fish such as tuna were not all that common
were not all that common
were not all that common archaeologically we eat them and we
archaeologically we eat them and we
archaeologically we eat them and we enjoy them today but not so common in
enjoy them today but not so common in
enjoy them today but not so common in the past it seems people did not go
the past it seems people did not go
the past it seems people did not go deep-sea fishing why didn’t they well
deep-sea fishing why didn’t they well
deep-sea fishing why didn’t they well the option seems to be taken was taken
the option seems to be taken was taken
the option seems to be taken was taken from them though the island had a dense
from them though the island had a dense
from them though the island had a dense forest it was comprised of palm trees
forest it was comprised of palm trees
forest it was comprised of palm trees with thin brittle bark and soft fibrous
with thin brittle bark and soft fibrous
with thin brittle bark and soft fibrous interiors making them really useless for
interiors making them really useless for
interiors making them really useless for canoes it’s kind of like a barrel
canoes it’s kind of like a barrel
canoes it’s kind of like a barrel once the vessels they had arrived on
once the vessels they had arrived on
once the vessels they had arrived on we’re no longer seaworthy the Islanders
we’re no longer seaworthy the Islanders
we’re no longer seaworthy the Islanders could not really do much deep-sea
could not really do much deep-sea
could not really do much deep-sea fishing this means they also lost the
fishing this means they also lost the
fishing this means they also lost the opportunity to voyage in search of new
opportunity to voyage in search of new
opportunity to voyage in search of new islands when times got tough so the
islands when times got tough so the
islands when times got tough so the colors who arrived on Rapa Nui had to
colors who arrived on Rapa Nui had to
colors who arrived on Rapa Nui had to make an important decision unless they
make an important decision unless they
make an important decision unless they returned on the same broke boats that
returned on the same broke boats that
returned on the same broke boats that brought them to the island there would
brought them to the island there would
brought them to the island there would be no next opportunity the giant palm
be no next opportunity the giant palm
be no next opportunity the giant palm trees numbering the millions were
trees numbering the millions were
trees numbering the millions were unsuitable for carving canoes that
unsuitable for carving canoes that
unsuitable for carving canoes that people had to make a living on Rapa Nui
people had to make a living on Rapa Nui
people had to make a living on Rapa Nui or they would suffer perhaps they would
or they would suffer perhaps they would
or they would suffer perhaps they would even die well these giant statues nearly
even die well these giant statues nearly
even die well these giant statues nearly a thousand of them suggest pretty
a thousand of them suggest pretty
a thousand of them suggest pretty dramatic story unfolded how did people
dramatic story unfolded how did people
dramatic story unfolded how did people sustain themselves on this rather
sustain themselves on this rather
sustain themselves on this rather difficult and challenging Island this is
difficult and challenging Island this is
difficult and challenging Island this is the question that we would try to answer
the question that we would try to answer
the question that we would try to answer in our research well over a several
in our research well over a several
in our research well over a several seasons of fieldwork we excavated on the
seasons of fieldwork we excavated on the
seasons of fieldwork we excavated on the on a kena dune you can see it here in
on a kena dune you can see it here in
on a kena dune you can see it here in Google Earth satellite imagery the beach
Google Earth satellite imagery the beach
Google Earth satellite imagery the beach here on the North Shore of the island
here on the North Shore of the island
here on the North Shore of the island and the dune that forms from it and in
and the dune that forms from it and in
and the dune that forms from it and in the next photo we can see the low
the next photo we can see the low
the next photo we can see the low elevation aerial photograph that we took
elevation aerial photograph that we took
elevation aerial photograph that we took from attaching a camera to a kite that’s
from attaching a camera to a kite that’s
from attaching a camera to a kite that’s a lot of fun
a lot of fun
a lot of fun and you can see the ahoo here and the
and you can see the ahoo here and the
and you can see the ahoo here and the statues they’re showing their shadows
statues they’re showing their shadows
statues they’re showing their shadows there in the front and then in the upper
there in the front and then in the upper
there in the front and then in the upper part of the slide you can see our
part of the slide you can see our
part of the slide you can see our excavations with a little wind barrier
excavations with a little wind barrier
excavations with a little wind barrier around it on the dune well the
around it on the dune well the
around it on the dune well the surprising thing in those excavations we
surprising thing in those excavations we
surprising thing in those excavations we thought that the island was probably
thought that the island was probably
thought that the island was probably settled around six 800 AD we were sort
settled around six 800 AD we were sort
settled around six 800 AD we were sort of going with the consensus at that time
of going with the consensus at that time
of going with the consensus at that time as it turned out the oldest cultural
as it turned out the oldest cultural
as it turned out the oldest cultural layers in this excavation and indeed the
layers in this excavation and indeed the
layers in this excavation and indeed the colonization of the island turned out to
colonization of the island turned out to
colonization of the island turned out to be only 800 years ago turned out to be
be only 800 years ago turned out to be
be only 800 years ago turned out to be around 1200 AD we realized in Rapa Nui
around 1200 AD we realized in Rapa Nui
around 1200 AD we realized in Rapa Nui that if something as fundamental as the
that if something as fundamental as the
that if something as fundamental as the radiocarbon date the first the
radiocarbon date the first the
radiocarbon date the first the settlement date was wrong for the island
settlement date was wrong for the island
settlement date was wrong for the island what else might be wrong well we’re
what else might be wrong well we’re
what else might be wrong well we’re going to head north for a moment head
going to head north for a moment head
going to head north for a moment head home and tell you about evidence from
home and tell you about evidence from
home and tell you about evidence from the Hawaiian Islands that really started
the Hawaiian Islands that really started
the Hawaiian Islands that really started to paint a different picture of Rapa Nui
to paint a different picture of Rapa Nui
to paint a different picture of Rapa Nui as well in the Hawaiian Islands before
as well in the Hawaiian Islands before
as well in the Hawaiian Islands before the arrival of Polynesians around 1200
the arrival of Polynesians around 1200
the arrival of Polynesians around 1200 AD the lowlands had been covered in a
AD the lowlands had been covered in a
AD the lowlands had been covered in a forest of native palm trees these palm
forest of native palm trees these palm
forest of native palm trees these palm trees are called perch artyom and they
trees are called perch artyom and they
trees are called perch artyom and they look like this but once Polynesians
look like this but once Polynesians
look like this but once Polynesians arrived the Hawaiian palm forest
arrived the Hawaiian palm forest
arrived the Hawaiian palm forest disappeared and they disappeared fast
disappeared and they disappeared fast
disappeared and they disappeared fast with perhaps just a feud in a few
with perhaps just a feud in a few
with perhaps just a feud in a few decades these forests had crashed many
decades these forests had crashed many
decades these forests had crashed many archaeologists had blamed Polynesians
archaeologists had blamed Polynesians
archaeologists had blamed Polynesians for using fire to clear land for
for using fire to clear land for
for using fire to clear land for agriculture
agriculture
agriculture however puzzling new evidence indicated
however puzzling new evidence indicated
however puzzling new evidence indicated that these palms had disappeared almost
that these palms had disappeared almost
that these palms had disappeared almost instantaneously but with no trace of
instantaneously but with no trace of
instantaneously but with no trace of burning it seems that the Pacific rat
burning it seems that the Pacific rat
burning it seems that the Pacific rat Rattus excellence who had arrived on the
Rattus excellence who had arrived on the
Rattus excellence who had arrived on the colonizers first canoes enjoyed an
colonizers first canoes enjoyed an
colonizers first canoes enjoyed an environment free of predators and full
environment free of predators and full
environment free of predators and full of native plants with fruits and seeds
of native plants with fruits and seeds
of native plants with fruits and seeds rats can consume hard fix seed cases and
rats can consume hard fix seed cases and
rats can consume hard fix seed cases and they destroy the reproductive potential
they destroy the reproductive potential
they destroy the reproductive potential of many of the seeds they consume and
of many of the seeds they consume and
of many of the seeds they consume and their impact had been Swift and
their impact had been Swift and
their impact had been Swift and devastating
devastating
devastating well the implications for Rapa Nui were
well the implications for Rapa Nui were
well the implications for Rapa Nui were startling during our first excavations
startling during our first excavations
startling during our first excavations we had been surprised to find so many
we had been surprised to find so many
we had been surprised to find so many rat bones in the lowest layers of our
rat bones in the lowest layers of our
rat bones in the lowest layers of our excavations but now we could put two and
excavations but now we could put two and
excavations but now we could put two and two together the story from Hawaii was
two together the story from Hawaii was
two together the story from Hawaii was telling us something about Rapa Nui if
telling us something about Rapa Nui if
telling us something about Rapa Nui if rats played a huge role in deforestation
rats played a huge role in deforestation
rats played a huge role in deforestation in the Hawaiian Islands think of the
in the Hawaiian Islands think of the
in the Hawaiian Islands think of the impact they might have on tiny Rapa Nui
impact they might have on tiny Rapa Nui
impact they might have on tiny Rapa Nui these rats could breed at staggering
these rats could breed at staggering
these rats could breed at staggering rates doubling their numbers every 47
rates doubling their numbers every 47
rates doubling their numbers every 47 days a mating pair of rat can become a
days a mating pair of rat can become a
days a mating pair of rat can become a population of millions in a couple of
population of millions in a couple of
population of millions in a couple of years if you actually do the math in
years if you actually do the math in
years if you actually do the math in about just under three years two rats
about just under three years two rats
about just under three years two rats can make 17 million given Rapa Nui size
can make 17 million given Rapa Nui size
can make 17 million given Rapa Nui size it could have supported a rat population
it could have supported a rat population
it could have supported a rat population of about two to three million indeed
of about two to three million indeed
of about two to three million indeed hundreds of palm nuts and you can see
hundreds of palm nuts and you can see
hundreds of palm nuts and you can see them here that have been discovered on
them here that have been discovered on
them here that have been discovered on Rapa Nui show the tell-tale signs of rat
Rapa Nui show the tell-tale signs of rat
Rapa Nui show the tell-tale signs of rat gnawing and total seed destruction these
gnawing and total seed destruction these
gnawing and total seed destruction these seeds are not going to grow once they’ve
seeds are not going to grow once they’ve
seeds are not going to grow once they’ve been eaten like that and if we take a
been eaten like that and if we take a
been eaten like that and if we take a look under the microscope here we see an
look under the microscope here we see an
look under the microscope here we see an ancient Judea palm nut and the Tel
ancient Judea palm nut and the Tel
ancient Judea palm nut and the Tel Terran incisor marks of rats that’s kind
Terran incisor marks of rats that’s kind
Terran incisor marks of rats that’s kind of the smoking gun there well add to
of the smoking gun there well add to
of the smoking gun there well add to this fire Polynesians completed what
this fire Polynesians completed what
this fire Polynesians completed what rats started but what they were doing
rats started but what they were doing
rats started but what they were doing was transforming a natural environment
was transforming a natural environment
was transforming a natural environment into an agricultural environment like
into an agricultural environment like
into an agricultural environment like people have done all over the world
people have done all over the world
people have done all over the world burning provided a short-term release of
burning provided a short-term release of
burning provided a short-term release of nutrients that helped the poor soils of
nutrients that helped the poor soils of
nutrients that helped the poor soils of Rapa Nui well in terms of biodiversity
Rapa Nui well in terms of biodiversity
Rapa Nui well in terms of biodiversity the loss of the forest was an ecological
the loss of the forest was an ecological
the loss of the forest was an ecological catastrophe there were extinctions that
catastrophe there were extinctions that
catastrophe there were extinctions that occurred but in human terms there is no
occurred but in human terms there is no
occurred but in human terms there is no evidence that the forest provided an
evidence that the forest provided an
evidence that the forest provided an important source of food or other
important source of food or other
important source of food or other resources they weren’t useful for canoes
resources they weren’t useful for canoes
resources they weren’t useful for canoes etc the loss of forests did not greatly
etc the loss of forests did not greatly
etc the loss of forests did not greatly affect the ability of people to feed
affect the ability of people to feed
affect the ability of people to feed themselves in some ways the forest was
themselves in some ways the forest was
themselves in some ways the forest was in the way as long as there were trees
in the way as long as there were trees
in the way as long as there were trees there would be palm nuts as long as
there would be palm nuts as long as
there would be palm nuts as long as there were palm nuts there would be rats
there were palm nuts there would be rats
there were palm nuts there would be rats that fed on them so the gradual decline
that fed on them so the gradual decline
that fed on them so the gradual decline of the forest opened up more land for
of the forest opened up more land for
of the forest opened up more land for cultivation of staples such as taro and
cultivation of staples such as taro and
cultivation of staples such as taro and sweet potatoes
but the big questions really still
but the big questions really still remain unanswered we understand a little
remain unanswered we understand a little
remain unanswered we understand a little bit more about the transformation the
bit more about the transformation the
bit more about the transformation the island into a cultivated landscape but
island into a cultivated landscape but
island into a cultivated landscape but we still still understand the state
we still still understand the state
we still still understand the state related to the moai the statues
related to the moai the statues
related to the moai the statues what role did the the moai play why here
what role did the the moai play why here
what role did the the moai play why here of any place there had to be a reason
of any place there had to be a reason
of any place there had to be a reason why society showed such an immense and
why society showed such an immense and
why society showed such an immense and intense interest in commitment to statue
intense interest in commitment to statue
intense interest in commitment to statue building what many ways we think the
building what many ways we think the
building what many ways we think the island has been really misunderstood the
island has been really misunderstood the
island has been really misunderstood the and really because we bring lots of
and really because we bring lots of
and really because we bring lots of preconceptions about the way things
preconceptions about the way things
preconceptions about the way things should be vast area the Ion vast areas
should be vast area the Ion vast areas
should be vast area the Ion vast areas of the island are covered in stone
of the island are covered in stone
of the island are covered in stone during our initial field seasons we had
during our initial field seasons we had
during our initial field seasons we had looked at these carpets of volcanic rock
looked at these carpets of volcanic rock
looked at these carpets of volcanic rock and assumed that they are natural
and assumed that they are natural
and assumed that they are natural geologic features but they’re actually
geologic features but they’re actually
geologic features but they’re actually engineered human created landscapes that
engineered human created landscapes that
engineered human created landscapes that people are making these rocks breaking
people are making these rocks breaking
people are making these rocks breaking these rocks and putting them there for a
these rocks and putting them there for a
these rocks and putting them there for a particular purpose a solution to
particular purpose a solution to
particular purpose a solution to problems of growing the crops in this
problems of growing the crops in this
problems of growing the crops in this poor soil that also coupled with
poor soil that also coupled with
poor soil that also coupled with irregular rainfall and then occasionally
irregular rainfall and then occasionally
irregular rainfall and then occasionally strong winds and we saw that what Robin
strong winds and we saw that what Robin
strong winds and we saw that what Robin knew if people were doing was growing
knew if people were doing was growing
knew if people were doing was growing crops in a way in this rock mulch as a
crops in a way in this rock mulch as a
crops in a way in this rock mulch as a way of being sustainable and that that
way of being sustainable and that that
way of being sustainable and that that provided a really different kind of path
provided a really different kind of path
provided a really different kind of path to success well a tradition of statue
to success well a tradition of statue
to success well a tradition of statue carving already existed in central
carving already existed in central
carving already existed in central Polynesia where Rapa Nui people came
Polynesia where Rapa Nui people came
Polynesia where Rapa Nui people came from and they did statue carving for
from and they did statue carving for
from and they did statue carving for religious reasons it makes perfect sense
religious reasons it makes perfect sense
religious reasons it makes perfect sense imagine their perspective on this we
imagine their perspective on this we
imagine their perspective on this we build statues and monuments to our
build statues and monuments to our
build statues and monuments to our deified ancestors because it’s the right
deified ancestors because it’s the right
deified ancestors because it’s the right thing to do going back in time they
thing to do going back in time they
thing to do going back in time they might ask you don’t you build statues to
might ask you don’t you build statues to
might ask you don’t you build statues to your ancestors this cultural even
your ancestors this cultural even
your ancestors this cultural even religious rationale had the unintended
religious rationale had the unintended
religious rationale had the unintended consequences of diverting time and
consequences of diverting time and
consequences of diverting time and energy away from larger garden plots and
energy away from larger garden plots and
energy away from larger garden plots and therefore larger families which the
therefore larger families which the
therefore larger families which the limited environment of the island could
limited environment of the island could
limited environment of the island could not possibly sustain so honoring your
not possibly sustain so honoring your
not possibly sustain so honoring your ancestors appeasing the gods was exactly
ancestors appeasing the gods was exactly
ancestors appeasing the gods was exactly the right thing to do and it yielded a
the right thing to do and it yielded a
the right thing to do and it yielded a sort of a big evolutionary payoff for
sort of a big evolutionary payoff for
sort of a big evolutionary payoff for people on the island the basis of the
people on the island the basis of the
people on the island the basis of the argument is really just simple Darwinian
argument is really just simple Darwinian
argument is really just simple Darwinian Ellucian small isolated populations with
Ellucian small isolated populations with
Ellucian small isolated populations with unpredictable and limited resources just
unpredictable and limited resources just
unpredictable and limited resources just like prehistoric Rapa Nui are exactly
like prehistoric Rapa Nui are exactly
like prehistoric Rapa Nui are exactly the kinds of places that one would
the kinds of places that one would
the kinds of places that one would expect to see elaborate cultural
expect to see elaborate cultural
expect to see elaborate cultural investments appear in a population now
investments appear in a population now
investments appear in a population now this making statues may be amazing to us
this making statues may be amazing to us
this making statues may be amazing to us but really statues building statues is
but really statues building statues is
but really statues building statues is exactly the right thing to do in this
exactly the right thing to do in this
exactly the right thing to do in this particular kind of environment well the
particular kind of environment well the
particular kind of environment well the descendants of the ancient Islanders are
descendants of the ancient Islanders are
descendants of the ancient Islanders are still on the island today a lot of
still on the island today a lot of
still on the island today a lot of people ask us well where did all the
people ask us well where did all the
people ask us well where did all the people go and we say well they are there
people go and we say well they are there
people go and we say well they are there and some are here tonight they live
and some are here tonight they live
and some are here tonight they live among nearly a thousand statues and it’s
among nearly a thousand statues and it’s
among nearly a thousand statues and it’s really it’s really that we owe them an
really it’s really that we owe them an
really it’s really that we owe them an explanation of what happened on that
explanation of what happened on that
explanation of what happened on that island we need we need to understand
island we need we need to understand
island we need we need to understand what happened on that island and get it
what happened on that island and get it
what happened on that island and get it right so what we’ve offered this evening
right so what we’ve offered this evening
right so what we’ve offered this evening is quite a different perspective of Rapa
is quite a different perspective of Rapa
is quite a different perspective of Rapa Nui history good science requires that
Nui history good science requires that
Nui history good science requires that we critically evaluate ideas in light of
we critically evaluate ideas in light of
we critically evaluate ideas in light of the evidence we can’t just make things
the evidence we can’t just make things
the evidence we can’t just make things up we need to account for what’s there
up we need to account for what’s there
up we need to account for what’s there on the ground what really happened our
on the ground what really happened our
on the ground what really happened our research has revealed that the ancient
research has revealed that the ancient
research has revealed that the ancient Islanders were not reckless our research
Islanders were not reckless our research
Islanders were not reckless our research has revealed that the ancient Islanders
has revealed that the ancient Islanders
has revealed that the ancient Islanders were not crazy they did exactly the
were not crazy they did exactly the
were not crazy they did exactly the right thing for that Island
right thing for that Island
right thing for that Island they were ingenious engineers in terms
they were ingenious engineers in terms
they were ingenious engineers in terms of not only statues and moving them but
of not only statues and moving them but
of not only statues and moving them but also agriculture and sustainability and
also agriculture and sustainability and
also agriculture and sustainability and the stability of that agriculture they
the stability of that agriculture they
the stability of that agriculture they avoided collapse on a small poor and
avoided collapse on a small poor and
avoided collapse on a small poor and isolated island they are the story of
isolated island they are the story of
isolated island they are the story of remarkable success the only collapse the
remarkable success the only collapse the
remarkable success the only collapse the only collapse came with the diseases
only collapse came with the diseases
only collapse came with the diseases introduced from the outside world after
introduced from the outside world after
introduced from the outside world after 1720 – and as a result of it well we
1720 – and as a result of it well we
1720 – and as a result of it well we believe that understanding the past and
believe that understanding the past and
believe that understanding the past and getting the details right and being
getting the details right and being
getting the details right and being accountable for that has much to offer
accountable for that has much to offer
accountable for that has much to offer in knowing who we are and where we are
in knowing who we are and where we are
in knowing who we are and where we are heading in these most challenging times
heading in these most challenging times
heading in these most challenging times the tiny yet very
the tiny yet very
the tiny yet very special island of Rapa Nui offers a
special island of Rapa Nui offers a
special island of Rapa Nui offers a message from the past for all of our
message from the past for all of our
message from the past for all of our futures thank you very much thank you
futures thank you very much thank you
futures thank you very much thank you [Applause]
”
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