Easter Island

Test 1

Where does the native name “Rapa Nui” which comes from which language?

Polynesian

The island was created by what?

3 volcanoes

What is the problem with the island’s sewage?

There is no sewage processing

According to James Grant-Peterkin, what is the most basic environmental concern on the island?

Drinking water

Rano Raraku is the site of what?

The quary

And what indicates it was abandoned in a rush?

Many Moai are unfinished 

According to professor Terry Hunt, when people asked the native Rapa Nui how they moved the statues, what was their response? 

They walked 

Professor Hunt and Lipo have a replica Moai that is how big?

10 feet and 5 tons 

When they tried to walk their Moai with two teams, what was the problem?

The statue kept twisting and didn’t move forward

What feature on the Moai is finished or added, after the statues are transported to their platforms?

The eye sockets and coral shells 

What is the price of food on the island?

Twice the normal price

What does the island not have any of?

Bats or snakes

What is the coldest temp recorded on the island?

47 degrees 

What is the main language on the island?

Spanish

How long ago did the island loose all of its forest cover?

500 years ago

What kind of forest once covered Rapa Nui 

Dense palm 

What percent of the island was covered in Palm trees 

Far more than half

Once the trees were gone, legends say the island became less fertile and the islanders may have resorted to what?

Canabalism 

Topples Moai statues indicated there was violence, but close examination shows what?

They were lowered with care 

How many tourists does Easter Island receive annually? 

85,000

How is the price of gas on the island?

Triple the price of U.S. gas

Why is there an underwater Moai?

It was a movie prop

How many teams did it take to walk the Moai?

3 teams

How far and fast did they move the Moai?

More than 100 yards in 40 minutes

Total number of statues carved?

937

When were they built?

1200-1700 A.D. 

What do the statues represent?

Gods and past leaders

How many statues are female?

50

What are the 3 Moai types?

Part-buried

Fallen 

Standing 

Main Quarry site

Rano Raraku

What is the height range?

10-30 feet

What is the weight range

5-40 tons

First europeans to discover the island?

Dutch in 1722 on Easter Sunday

Population in 1722

about 3,000

Population in 1877:

111

Descendents today:

about 4,000

Non natives today:

about 2,000

When was the Mataveri International Airport built?

1985

Who built the airport?

NASA, for the space shuttle 

What is special about the Tahai Moai

They are the only Moai with original coral shell eyes 

What is the highest point on the Island

1,663 feet

What is special about Ankena Beach?

It was the first settlement, Polynesians landed here in 900-1200 A.D. 

What is the largest Moai?

Paro, 40 tons

What is the max distanc the Moai moved?

up to 12 miles

Total number erected and standing by 1700

490

What happened between 1722 and 1838

All 490 fell/toppled 

What is the reason they fell/were toppled

Unknown

Total number restored?

50

When were they restored?

1955-1988

What is Tongariki

The largest Ahu (15)

What is the nearest mainland

South America, 1500 miles

Who owns the island

Chile, since 1888

How many statues are at Rano Raraku

397, and nearly all are buried 

What is special about Nau Nau 

It is the best preserved and restored in 1958 

What is the geography of ancient ruins called?

Archaeo-geography