Study Challenges Collapse Theory of Rapa Nui Population

Recent genetic studies have challenged the long-held belief that the Rapa Nui population of Easter Island collapsed due to ecological mismanagement in the 1600s. Instead, evidence suggests that the population steadily grew until the 1860s, when external factors like slave raids and smallpox epidemics severely impacted the inhabitants. The research analyzed genomes from 15 individuals and found no signs of a genetic bottleneck that would indicate a pre-contact collapse. Additionally, the findings demonstrate that the Rapa Nui had contact with Native Americans prior to European arrival, reinforcing the complexity of their history. Innovative farming methods, such as composting and rock mulch, allowed the population to sustain itself despite limited resources. This new understanding debunks the myth of self-inflicted ecological failure and highlights the resilience of Rapa Nui culture.