Resilience of Easter Island

Easter Island is known for the megalithic statues called moai. It is assumed that deforestation of the island by the Rapa Nui led to a cultural collapse. A brief period of prosperity was followed by a long period of chaos due to the misuse of natural resources to transport the spectacular moai. When Roggeveen visited the island, the Rapa Nui would have been hungry thieves, prostitutes and cannibals. Easter Island became an example to environmentalists as a warning for the entire planet.

Roeling shows that the current image of Easter Island is completely false. He demonstrates that the use of firewood is the true reason of deforestation. However, while describing all aspects of Rapa Nui culture, religion and history, he also shows that deforestation did not led to famine, war and cannibalism. The loving and caring Rapa Nui developed innovative changes in agriculture and a new birdmancult to restore the order on the island. Their resilience is an example for the entire world rather than a warning.