Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, is considered to be an example of bad environmental practices. According to researchers, in 300 years, the former inhabitants of the island destroyed six million trees. But… archeologist Chris Stevenson and his team changed the direction of the past. They believe that the local population took their last breath after the arrival of the Europeans, in 1800 AC.

The researcher believes that European diseases caused the death of the islanders. Until now, scientists have claimed that, as was the case with other ancient civilizations—like the Mayans—the Easter islanders died as a result of famine, wars, etc. A consequence of the destruction of the environment.

Stevenson says that, despite the deforestation, islanders had already found sustainable ways to keep living there: by using fertilizers to restore the health of the soil and gardens to protect plants, for instance. They learned that everybody should consume in the same way in order to be able to live in balance. It is possible that even their political relationships changed. After all, no one could afford otherwise.

I saw this news article on Science Daily’s fantastic website—click here to read it in English.

Note: I have ALWAYS wanted to visit Easter Island to see those moai statues with my own eyes—they can be up to ten meters high and weigh tons. To my surprise, I found myself face to face with the big guy in the photo while visiting the British Museum, in London. By the way, read about my encounter with the Rosetta Stone here. It’s better to laugh than to cry.