eli5: If the Rapa Nui and their culture are still alive, why is Easter Island such a mystery?

773 viewsOther

I’m writing a paper and I’m so confused; if the people of the island are still around, how is the island such a mystery? Is it that the Rapa Nui alive were mostly the descendants of slaves or immigrants from the island? I hope this isn’t too stupid of a question but I just can’t find anything addressing it. Thanks!

In: Other

16 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

The Rapa Nui went through an apocalypse of environmental decline thru deforestation followed by disease, then the slave trade and diaspora to other islands. By the late 1800’s the population was down to just above 100 habitants over the previous  several thousand and above population. So there isn’t much oral history that survived that. 

You are viewing 1 out of 16 answers, click here to view all answers.