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Published Online March 9, 2006
Science DOI: 10.1126/science.1121879

Reports

Submitted on October 26, 2005
Accepted on February 21, 2006

Late Colonization of Easter Island

Terry L. Hunt 1* and Carl P. Lipo 2

1 Department of Anthropology, University of Hawai'i-Manoa, 2424 Maile Way Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
2 Department of Anthropology and IIRMES, California State University Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840, USA.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Terry L. Hunt , E-mail: thunt{at}hawaii.edu

Easter Island (Rapa Nui) provides a model of human-induced environmental degradation. A reliable chronology is central to understanding the cultural, ecological, and demographic processes involved. Radiocarbon dates for the earliest stratigraphic layers at Anakena, Easter Island, and analysis of previous radiocarbon dates imply that the island was colonized late, about 1200 AD. Significant ecological impacts and major cultural investments in monumental architecture and statuary thus began soon after initial settlement.


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)