A millennium ago, between 700 and 1110 AD, a group of about 40 Polynesian settlers left their homes and came to Rapa Nui (which would later be renamed Easter Island). It is located 2,300 miles from the Chilean coast. The colonists had no idea what they would find on this new island, good or bad. They had been on the open sea for weeks in open canoes. What they discovered and how they approached their new environment defined their way of life. Several factors contributed to the fate of the Rapa Nui population, including the ecosystem, the creation of the Maoi, and proximity to other South American islands. The ecosystem of Rapa Nui was somewhat strange. Previously, when there was no human settlement, there were no large or small mammals on Rapa Nui. The only animals they had were insects and at least one species of lizard. When the settlers arrived in Rapa Nui, they brought with them the Polynesian rat. Sometimes they ate the rats because they reproduced quickly. When settlers arrived in Rapa Nui, it was heavily forested with giant species of palm trees. There were about sixteen species of palm trees and woody shrubs. Unfortunately, the island was very small and the natural resources they needed to survive were very limited. The Rapa Nui began creating huge statues and named them Moai. Currently, more than eight hundred and eighty-seven Moai are known. Historians do not know how many Moai the Rapa Nui people originally created. Historians are not one hundred percent sure why the Rapa Nui people created the Moai, but there are different theories. One theory that exists is that Moai are totems that channel the energy of the world in an effort to honor the ancestors of Rapa Nui. Another theory suggests that the Mo...... middle of paper ......h is the current struggle the island faces to thrive. As you read in this article, Moai were very important statues. They were the center of activity on Easter Island. The Rapa Nui people were all around them. Now we've seen what happened on Easter Island because of their obsession with Moai. The ecosystem affected the fate of the Rapa Nui people. Easter Island is so small and the Rapa Nui used all their needed resources too quickly, resulting in a rebellion. The fascinating statues were built by the Rapa Nui. The islanders had a horrific past that involved cannibalism, slavery, and rebellion. They experienced similar things to other people. I think the history of Easter Island is so fascinating. And that the Moai themselves are amazing statues, and I would love to go to Easter Island someday in my life..