The Prehistory of Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
by Valentí Rull
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This book addresses the main enigmas of Easter Island’s (Rapa Nui, in the Polynesian language) prehistory from the time of initial settlement to European contact with a multidisciplinary perspective. The main topics include: (i) the time of first settlement and the origin of the first settlers; (ii) the main features of prehistoric Rapanui culture and their changes; (iii) the deforestation of the island and its timing and causes; (iv) the extinction of the indigenous biota, (v) the occurrence of
Our Review
This comprehensive examination of Easter Island's ancient past tackles the island's most enduring mysteries through a multidisciplinary lens, from initial Polynesian settlement to European contact. The book systematically explores key archaeological puzzles including the timing of first human arrival, the dramatic cultural transformations that produced the iconic moai statues, and the complex environmental history behind the island's famous deforestation. Readers will find thorough analysis of how Rapa Nui's unique ecosystem collapsed and what really happened to its indigenous plants and animals.
What sets this work apart is its balanced approach to controversial theories about the island's ecological demise, weighing evidence for different scenarios without pushing a single narrative. The integration of archaeological, paleoecological, and historical data creates a nuanced portrait that will particularly engage readers fascinated by environmental history and human adaptation. For anyone seeking to move beyond simplified collapse theories and understand the full complexity of Rapa Nui's prehistory, this book offers an authoritative yet accessible deep dive into what really shaped one of humanity's most mysterious ancient cultures.
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