I was able to view this program last night on PBS, of the Nova series. The small volcanic island, now a territory of Chile, is called Rapa Nui. Most of us know it as Easter Island. It is most noted for the mysterious several hundred statues called moai scattered around the island. These were created by inhabitants during the 13th-16th centuries. The moai are carved human figures with oversize heads, often resting on massive stone pedestals called ahus.
What this documentary examines are the reason for the moai and their placement, plus the extensive use of modern DNA analysis to shed more light on the origin of the people of Rapa Nui. Did they definitively come from the Polynesian Islands? Or was there genetic influence from Central America? And the factors that likely caused a large decline in population after they came into contact with Europeans.
The documentary is very well made and includes the insights of a number of professionals in the field of study. Not all the questions were answered unequivocally but it seems we know a lot more about it. Good, interesting program.
At home on PBS.
What this documentary examines are the reason for the moai and their placement, plus the extensive use of modern DNA analysis to shed more light on the origin of the people of Rapa Nui. Did they definitively come from the Polynesian Islands? Or was there genetic influence from Central America? And the factors that likely caused a large decline in population after they came into contact with Europeans.
The documentary is very well made and includes the insights of a number of professionals in the field of study. Not all the questions were answered unequivocally but it seems we know a lot more about it. Good, interesting program.
At home on PBS.
