Synopsis

Since the first European sightings in 1722, Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, has captivated and perplexed the world. The construction and transport of nearly nine hundred colossal statues, the moai – some weighing up to 86 tons – remains an enduring mystery. Equally puzzling is the island's transformation from a likely lush paradise into a barren landscape, a decline that seemed to bring ruin upon its inhabitants. NOVA delves into recent, contentious claims that challenge long-held assumptions about