5th April, 1722 was a crucial date in the History of Easter Island. On this day Jacob Roggeveen (link to Easter Island Chile), a Dutch seaman landed on the Island of “Te Pito o Te Henua”, meaning “The Center of the World” or the “Navel of the World”. Since the fateful date was an Easter Sunday, he named the island as Easter Island.
A remote island thousands of miles off the central coast of Chile, Easter Island is now completely devoid of its ancient culture and civilization, systematically destroyed by the white men. Increased population and improper methods of farming have done a major harm to the flora and fauna of the beautiful island
The early Easter Island History claims that the first settlers on the Island were Polynesians. DNA tests of the inhabitants of the Island show a Polynesian Descent. Their food habits also resemble that of South Americans. The Easter Island could have been inhabited from any time period from AD 300-400 to AD 700-800. Evidence gathered from radiocarbon dating suggests that the Island was inhabited from AD 1200 and not before that. The social structure as well the natural environment of the island underwent tremendous change during 10th to 16th - 17th centuries. Different historians have different theories regarding this phenomenon. The famous stone monoliths known as Moai were carved during this period. Easter Island lost its palm trees due to major changes in climate.
From around 16th – 17th century to the end of 19th century, the Birdman cult gained currency over the island's population. The structure of society on Easter Island changed a lot. The system prevailed even when they came in contact with Europeans. When Jacob Roggeveen landed on the island, the island's civilization was already on a decline. All that was left of the ancient culture faded away under European influence. In mid-19th century, Europeans were deporting the islanders as slaves, until about a hundred of them were left on the island. Policarpo Toro of Chile annexed Easter Island in 1888. The “Treaty of Annexation of the Island” was signed between Chile and the Island's natives.
Till 1960s, the island was on rent to a foreign sheep company. The natives were forced to live on the outskirts of Hanga Roa. After that they have tried to revive their ancient culture as much as possible. But that too is threatened by the huge influx of tourists on the island. To know more about Easter Island keep surfing through the pages of Christmas Carnivals.
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