coastlines Easter Island also known as Rapa Nui is an isolated island off the coast of Chile. While being owned by Chile this falls within subregion Oceania Polynesia. The Polynesian region can be described a triangle reaching from main islands Hawaii New Zealand and Island with hundreds more smaller those borders. Nui has been central place archeological historical significance for many years because its famous head-shaped statues. There are over 1000 these figures called moai which were created during 13th-16th centuries. moai carved stones resembling human oversized heads resting on massive stone pedestals. As modern technology reaches new heights so does our collective understanding Nui’s past. Discovered in 1722 European explorer Jacob Roggeveen thoroughly studied explored to understand origin meaning behind people their cultural creations (Hunt Lipo 2006). Early Polynesians South Pacific have documented back 2800 ago expansion Eastern did not start until after 800 A.D. Historians mainly excavated extensive collection scattered throughout coastlines. Through studies discoveries made. Carbon-14 instrumental tool data collecting around world since ‘40s. original radiocarbon dates come expeditions Norwegian team led Heyerdahl 1950s From expedition 19 samples collected terrain waters. was found significant vegetation change associated arrival large number 750 However discredited unreliable due inaccuracy lake core sediment dates. Efforts paleoenvironmental reconstruction hindered accurate could secured. According Martinsson-Wallin Crockford archeologists 120 any sample date predating should considered unacceptable. After realization that needed reworked cross analyzed other efforts made obtain An excavation technique “in situ” (“in of”) ensured artifacts removed location discovery. One important locations Anakena Dune it only sand dune gives access unique strata dating. Eight charcoal discovered 1200 evidence occupation island. Three specific rules established verifying false (i.e. anything follows criteria would unreliable). 1. Any marine material or terrestrial animal bones reliable incorporation old carbon. 2. mixed materials such soil together rejected. 3. Dates replicable show overlap additional tests Following guidelines eliminate faulty data narrow window acceptable 657 1180 cal A.D (on low end). Additional fits discovery intervention environment but precise further established. It may possible rather than group settling 1180-1200 A.D. possibly there much population had less obvious environmental impacts earlier then 1200s they spike. This why lot comes out before 800s however just theories recreated numerous times using carbon-14 isotope example land degradation caused use ecosystem. Poike peninsula site seen most located eastern part (Meith Bork 2005). In days very healthy fertile soils colonizing island areas desertification taking today. erosion tells us about used live analysis profiles allows history people. shows causes effects gullying context use history evolution. Gullying process making deep channels water passage. practice became common sudden increase sheep 20th century. Gullies themselves problems creating extended badlands peninsula. Badlands heavily eroded little grow survive. settlements community ceremonial buildings built 1300 Around 1400 agriculture started become popular increasing amount healthy land. latest count at 1043 completed structures average stand ~13 feet weigh ~10 metric tons each (Yang 2022). largest “El Gigante” 69 200 Rano Raraku. Raraku quarry where all statues originally built. Moai typically placed backs sea platforms ahu. Some red pukao represent topknots like what builders worn. Pukao either feather crown turban symbolic society centered ancestor worship fertility rites passage (Van Tilburg Lee 1987). 1500 A.D shift ethnographically cult manutara (birdman). Anthropomorphic bird symbols cultures before. believed birdman symbol sacred creator god Orongo evolution ahu images statue Nui. .