Study Disputes Ecocide Theory of Easter Island

Recent genetic analysis of ancient DNA from Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, challenges the long-held belief that the island's indigenous population experienced a 'self-inflicted collapse' due to ecological mismanagement in the 17th century. The study, published in Nature, examined genomes from 15 individuals who lived between 1670 and 1950, revealing no evidence of a genetic bottleneck prior to European contact in 1722. Instead, researchers found that the population remained stable and even grew until the 1860s, when it faced significant decline due to Peruvian slave raids and European-borne epidemics. This finding contradicts the narrative of 'ecocide' and suggests that the Rapa Nui people were culturally resilient and engaged in genetic mixing with other populations long before European arrival. The research is significant as it utilizes ancient genomic data, offering a new perspective on the historical narrative surrounding Easter Island's inhabitants. These results have reignited discussions on the portrayal of indigenous cultures and their resource management capabilities.