Ep 12. Giants of Easter Island

The episode Giants of Easter Island from season 1 of Digging for the Truth investigates the mystery surrounding the iconic statues that populate Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island. The episode is presented by Josh Bernstein, host, and guest archaeologist Dr. Joanne Van Tilburg, who has been studying the artifacts of the island for over thirty years.

Throughout the show, Josh and Joanne attempt to answer questions about the Rapa Nui culture and their iconic megaliths. These questions include where did the island’s inhabitants come from, why did they build the statues, what is their significance, and how did their civilization decline? By exploring these questions, they hope to unravel the secrets of the ancient people who once lived on Easter Island.

The episode begins with an introduction to the island's geography, including a brief history of the colonization of Rapa Nui. They also explain how the moai, the statues that are so iconic of the island, are constructed. The moai, which are made of volcanic tuff, were quarried from the Rano Raraku crater and transported across the island to various locations. This alone is a testament to the extraordinary skill of the island's ancient builders.

Joanne then introduces Josh to a particular group of statues that have a unique feature – hats. These hats, called pukao, are made of red scoria and weigh up to 11 tons. Josh and Joanne investigate why the pukao were added to the moai and how they were transported to their present locations.

Next, they delve deeper into the meaning behind the moai. Dr. Van Tilburg explains that the islanders created the statues as an expression of their ancestral reverence. The moai are effectively memorials to their ancestors, and each statue would have represented a specific ancestor or family group.

To further understand the ancient culture and its customs, Josh and Joanne visit Hanga Roa, which is the most extensive town on the island and once the political and social center of the Rapa Nui culture. Here they meet with a traditional Polynesian dancer and archaeologist Sergio Rapu to learn about the culture's music, dance, and art, gaining insight into the meaning behind these practices.

The team also discusses the decline of the Rapa Nui civilization. As they explain, the island was once home to a thriving culture, with an estimated population of 15,000. However, by the time the Europeans arrived, the population had fallen to around 2,000, and the people were living in poverty. Joanne explains the reason behind this decline was due to deforestation, and the exploitation of the resources led to an environmental degradation.

Finally, the episode culminates in the discovery of a petroglyph that appears to show an outside influence on the island. It appears to depict a European hat, despite being created several hundred years before European contact. The discovery hints at the possibility of an unknown visitor to the island, further deepening the mystery surrounding the ancient culture of Rapa Nui.

Overall, Giants of Easter Island is an insightful episode, providing a comprehensive overview of the Rapa Nui culture and its iconic statues. By examining the island's geography, ancient culture, and history, Josh and Joanne offer a fascinating insight into the ancient civilization that once inhabited the island.