Easter Island Flashcards
(15 cards)
Where is Easter Island located?
In the southeastern Pacific Ocean; it is part of Chile.
When was Easter Island first settled, and by whom?
Around AD 900–1100 by Polynesians.
When was the island’s population at its peak?
Between AD 1200–1600.
What was the estimated peak population of Easter Island?
Around 7,000–10,000 people.
What was the island’s main natural resource?
Palm forests, particularly the Jubaea palm.
What were the palm forests used for?
Building canoes
Constructing housing
Transporting the Moai statues
When was deforestation completed?
Around AD 1600.
What was the result of complete deforestation?
No trees left for canoes or shelter.
What were the ecological effects of deforestation on Easter Island?
Soil erosion
Reduced crop yields
Food shortages
What impact did deforestation have on biodiversity?
Several native bird and plant species went extinct.
How did resource depletion affect society on Easter Island?
Tribal conflict over scarce resources
Evidence of warfare and cannibalism
Social collapse
What happened to the population by the time of European contact in 1722?
It dropped to around 2,000–3,000 people.
What does Easter Island demonstrate about resource use?
That overexploitation of natural resources can lead to ecological and population collapse.
What modern lesson does Easter Island provide?
It’s a warning about the dangers of unsustainable development and poor environmental management.
