The most distinct feature of this small volcanic island is the assortment
of Moai dotting its landscape. These stone faces serve as a
symbol of the highly advanced but short-sighted civilization that wrote
this island's history.
Archaeological evidence leads scholars to believe that the original
settlers were of Polynesian descent and that they discovered the island
around 400 A.D. They put together what appears to be an incredibly
advanced culture for their time. Their achievements included the
Rongorongo script and
of course, the Moai. The production and movement of these statues
led to the downfall of their society.
Each statue was carved from rock found in the island's caldera, Rano
Raraku. Carving them was not a problem, as the islanders had highly
developed stoneworking skills. Moving them, however, proved to be an
intense strain on the environment. The only way they could have managed
to transport these 6m tall, 15 ton stone monoliths was by rolling them on
tree trunks. As production of statues increased, so did the number of
trees felled. This began a vicious cycle. Once all the forests had been
cleared, there was no longer anything anchoring the topsoil. It soon
washed away, leaving the land infertile. The people now had no wood for
fire or shelter and too few crops to feed themselves. They engaged in
bloody battle for the scarce resources, taking their numbers from a peak of
10,000 down to around 750. This once mighty culture collapsed to nothing
more than a collection of cave-dwelling cannibals.
A Look Back, a Look Forward
You might be wondering what relevance this story holds for you. Think
about it -
A jewel of an island floating in an endless sea. A seemingly never ending
supply of raw materials. Technological advances. Population Growth.
Depletion of Resources. War. Collapse. Sound familiar? The Easter
Island story is a story for our times.*
The rapid growth of population and corresponding increase in resource
exploitation on our planet is a problem. Everyone knows that this
situation exists, but no one is completely sure of its severity. Some
groups argue that it will mean the end of humanity,
while others believe that there is no cause for concern.
Though statistics can be modified to suit any purpose, facts are
indisputable. And the facts of this case are not pleasant. We have used
up over 80 percent of the fossil fuels that took millions of years to
develop. Tropical rainforests that once covered more than 14 percent of
the earth now amount to less than 6 percent. With growing levels of waste
and pollution, even fresh water is becoming a scarcer commodity.
These problems are only going to get worse until people start taking
responsibility for the world around them. As world population continues to
grow, one must wonder if an Easter Island-type fate awaits the entire
Earth. If steps aren't taken to conserve the remaining natural resources,
it's entirely possible that our isolated planet and its advanced society
will fall to ruin. Next time you're driving in your fossil fuel-powered car
drinking coffee from a styrofoam cup, think about your great grandchildren
living in caves and devouring their young. That should be all the
motivation you need to do your part.
Relevant Links
World POPClock
Population,
Industry, and Agriculture Growth Curves
Take a moment to look deep into this background. Imagine the blue-green
pattern is the crystal water of the South Pacific. Now let yourself
drift...If you have managed to make it two thousand miles off the coast of
Chile, you will find yourself on
Rapa Nui, more commonly known as Easter Island. Enjoy your stay on
this, the world's largest open-air museum. Pay attention while you're
there. This island has a story to tell, and if you don't listen, your
world may someday have a similar tale.
The Rise and Fall of a Civilization
*from Easter Island Virtual Tour Chpt 6
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