Andrew Forestell, age 14, of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, for his question:
WHO BUILT THE STONE STATUES OF EASTER ISLAND?
Almost the entire population of small Easter Island was wiped out in 1862 by a Peruvian slave raid that was followed by a major smallpox epidemic. Then in 1868, when Christianity was introduced, the entire population was moved to the small village of Hanga Roa on the west coast of the island. Today the population stands at about 1,600. Easter Island, which is also called Rapa Nui, is located about 2,400 miles west of Chile in the South Pacific. Chile governs the island and a Chilean naval ship pays a formal visit two times each year.
About 63 square miles make up Easter Island. There are no streams although three extinct volcanoes hold fresh water crater lakes. The island is actually composed of volcanic material with the largest extinct volcano rising almost 1,500 feet above sea level. Although much of the coast is very steep, there is one sandy beach and a number of areas where grass grows well and sheep graze.
Archaeologists tell us that three cultural periods probably thrived on the island.
About 400 A.D. the islanders made lots of small stone statues and neatly fitted masonry of large stones. In addition, they built an elaborate defense facility which protected them from outsiders.
A later civilization came along and destroyed all of the early construction. The new citizens then built raised temple platforms called ahus. On the ahus were erected huge stone busts that had distorted human features. The statues were eyeless. Some weighed more than 70 tons and many were 40 feet tall. More than 600 stone giants were built. Scientists have not been able to determine exactly how they were built and who carved the monstrous figures out of volcanic rock.
They know the work was done with stone hand picks made of basalt.
Easter Island's famous statues were moved to all parts of the island. Many had huge red stone cylinders balanced on the heads.
Ancestors of the present Polynesian residents of Easter Island conquered the island in about 1670. Most of the people abandoned their grass homes and moved into caves. During this period of time they practiced cannibalism.
A Dutch admiral by the name of Jacob Roggeveen arrived on the island on Easter Sunday in 1722. He found the residents living chiefly on fish and sweet potatoes. He named the country to commemorate the holiday: Easter Island.
Supplies are brought to the island regularly now from Chile. An international airport was constructed there during the 1960s. Visitors continue to be amazed when they see the giant statues on the barren island.