The Resilience of Easter Island (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781326329112)

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.

Author: Sebastiaan Roeling
ISBN-10: 1326329111
ISBN-13: 9781326329112
Publisher: Lulu.com
Language: English
Published: 06/28/2015
Pages: 244
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.09lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.56d