Transcript Easter Island - Woodcliff Lake Public Schools

Easter Island
By Ella F.
Easter Island
Easter Island is an island between South America and
the Polynesian Islands.
But one thing is a big mystery about this island!
There are statues all around the island but no one was
there when the island was rediscovered!
Who made the statues? Why are they there?
Nobody knows!
Background Knowledge
This island is located 4,300 miles west of South
America and 2,300 miles east of Tahiti.
In 1722, a Dutch explorer named Jacob Roggeveen
was the first to see this island. He found it on Easter
Sunday so he called it Easter Island.
Many people made theories about these statues, why
there are there, and who put them there.
Peruvian Theory
Thor Heyerdahl believed that Easter Island was
inhabited by Peruvian people.
The archeologist found spears and daggers on the
island that looked like Peruvian tools.
He also found sweet potatoes that were grown in
Peru.
Polynesian Theory
There are some things that people have against the
theory of Thor Heyerdahl.
Some people believe that Easter Island was inhabited
by Polynesian people!
Sweet potatoes were also grown in the Polynesian
islands.
Also, the skeletons found at the island looked like
Polynesian people.
My Theory
If you look at the map you will
see that all the statues are on
the border of the island.
There is also a couple
volcanoes!
I think the statues were put
around the island on purpose!
I think that those statues
were suppose to call the good
spirits from the volcano. The
people thought that the good
spirits would protect them
when the volcanoes erupt.
I also think that people were
born there and moved to
Mexico because of over
population.
Sources
Mysteries in History: Ancient History by Wendy
Conklin