6. Easter Island - Where Giants Walked

SUPPORT THE SHOW AND WATCH AD-FREE: / fallofcivilizations_po...
On one of the world’s most isolated islands, hundreds of vast stone statues lie mouldering in the grass.
In this episode, we take a look at one of archaeology’s most enduring puzzles: the mystery of Easter Island. Find out how this unique community grew up in complete isolation, severed from the rest of the world by a vast expanse of ocean. Discover the incredible story of how it survived for so many centuries, and examine the evidence about what happened to finally bring this society, and its statues, crashing down.
This episode, we're joined by children from the Toki School of Music and Arts on Rapa Nui, who were kind enough to record some traditional ancestral chants especially for the podcast.
Since 2012, Toki has offered children & adolescents free classes in classical and traditional music, with the aim of keeping the traditions of the island alive.
It's an incredible project, and if you want to help keep it running, you can donate here: tokirapanui.org/en/
** Fall of Civilizations the book is now available to pre-order: linktr.ee/fallofcivilizations **
Support Fall of Civilizations on Patreon: / fallofcivilizations_po...
Credits:
Sound engineering by Thomas Ntinas
Voice Actors:
Jake Barrett-Mills
Jacob Rollinson
Annie Kelly
Shem Jacobs
Footage of Rapa Iti by Normand Schafer of Far and Away Adventures: FarAndAwayAdventures.com
Music by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: incompetech.com/
Title theme: Home At Last by John Bartmann. johnbartmann.com/
SOURCES:
Bahn, Paul, and John Flenley. Easter Island, Earth Island. United Kingdom, Thames and Hudson, 1992.
Barthel, Thomas S. The Eighth Land: The Polynesian Discovery and Settlement of Easter Island. Trans. Trans. Anneliese Martin. Honolulu, University Press of Hawaii, 1978.
Behrens, Carl Friedrich. ‘Another Narrative of Jacob Roggeveen’s Visit.’ In: The Voyage of Captain Don Felipe Gonzalez. Trans. Bolton Glanvill Corney. Cambridge, The Hakluyt Society, 1908, pp. 131-137.
Bendrups, Dan. Singing and Survival: The Music of Easter Island. United States, Oxford University Press, 2019.
Boersema, Jan J. The Survival of Easter Island: Dwindling Resources and Cultural Resilience. United Kingdom, Cambridge University Press, 2015.
Capek, Michael. Easter Island. United States, Twenty-First Century Books, 2008.
Corney, Bolton Glanvill, editor. The Voyage of Captain Don Felipe Gonzalez. Cambridge, The Hakluyt Society, 1908.
Cook, Captain James. The Journals of Captain James Cook on His Voyages of Discovery. Ed. J. C. Beaglehole . United Kingdom, Taylor & Francis, 2017.
Diamond, Jared. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive. United Kingdom, Penguin Books, 2013.
Emory, Kenneth P. ‘Easter Island’s Position in the Prehistory of Polynesia.’ The Journal of the Polynesian Society, vol. 81, no. 1, 1972, pp. 57-69.
Esen-Baur, Heide-Margaret. ‘Towards an Understanding of “Rongorongo.”’ Anthropos, vol. 106, no. 2, 2011, pp. 439-461.
Fischer, Steven Roger. Island at the End of the World: The Turbulent History of Easter Island. United Kingdom, Reaktion Books, 2006.
Gill, George W. and Vincent H. Stefan, editors. Skeletal Biology of the Ancient Rapanui (Easter Islanders). United Kingdom Cambridge University Press, 2016.
Heyerdahl, Thor. Easter Island: The Mystery Solved. New York, Random House, 1989.
-----, and Edwin N. Ferdon Jr, editors. Reports of the Norwegian Archaeological Expedition to Easter Island and the East Pacific. United States, Rand McNally & Company, 1961.
Hiatt, Alfred, et al., editors. European Perceptions of Terra Australis. United Kingdom, Taylor & Francis, 2016.
Hunt, Terry and Carl Lipo. The Statues that Walked: Unraveling the Mystery of Easter Island. United Kingdom, Free Press, 2011.
-----. ‘Rethinking the Fall of Easter Island: New Evidence Points to an Alternative Explanation for a Civilization’s Collapse.’ American Scientist, vol. 94, no. 5, 2006, pp. 412-419.
Langdon, Robert, et al. ‘The Settlement of Easter Island.’ The Journal of the Polynesian Society, vol. 110, no. 3, 2001, pp. 329-333.
Middleton, Guy D. Understanding Collapse: Ancient History and Modern Myths. United Kingdom, Cambridge University Press, 2017.
Roggeveen, Jacob. ‘Extract From the Official Log of Mr Jacob Roggeveen, Relating to His Discovery of Easter Island.’ 1722. In: The Voyage of Captain Don Felipe Gonzalez. Trans. Bolton Glanville Corney. Cambridge, The Hakluyt Society, 1908, pp. 1-24.
Routledge, Katherine. The Mystery of Easter Island. United Kingdom, Hazell, Watson, and Viney Ltd, 1919.
Trachtman, Paul. ‘The Secrets of Easter Island.’ Smithsonian, 1 Mar. 2002. Online.
Van Tilburg, Jo Anne and Ted Ralston. ‘Engineers of Easter Island.’ Archaeology, vol. 52, no. 6, 1999, pp. 40-45.

[@islanderws]

As a native Polynesian (Samoan), I can honestly say this is the best, well made and more accurate history documentary about the fate of our brothers and sisters in Rapa Nui. Thank you... Fa'afetai tele lava.

[@AndyGrazianoNYC]

The end of this made me very upset. I'm sorry these people were subject to the worst of humanity.

[@StarFox85]

knowledge of the forever time

[@pixlification3130]

I concur absolutely. I have been deeply interested since childhood. This is the most comprehensive work l've encountered to date. I've watched this twice over and shall be returning many times over. Indeed all the programs on this channel are top notch. This is my favorite so far. Also the saddest. Oh for a time machine.

[@bananian]

Are the statues unique to Rapa Nui?

[@DreaMeRHoLic]

For me the documentary shows a big problem of the mondern research. Potatoes are a cultivated crop of south america and the claim that they took sweet potatoes with them shows that polynesians must have visited south america. DNA research shows that native americans have polynesian DNA and polynesians have south american DNA. Then we have the problem that researchers then say "oh, it has to had happen later... because the legends of Hiva (people from new zealand also claim to be from there) cant be true. From my understanding the "younger dryas climate catastrophe" that happen about 12 000 years ago let the sealevel rise and flooded most islands, because some maps that are from great library of alexandria and they also show islands that where under the ocean at the time of alexandria. At this point we would have to talk about the Eye of the Sahara and Atlantis, because for me it has become more and more clear that the humans at about 10 000 BC are sailers and their coastcitys are about 80meters under water. Modern sience only focuses on the hunter/gatherers in the cold areas and ignore the cultures that would be submerged or under the sahara and this is terrible, because research has confirmed that the sahara was green 12 000 years ago. The meteor impact in greenland into the ice started the younger dryas climate catastrophe and the cooler water that came from the north messed with the global ocean streams that then changed the area that the clouds got pushed onto africa that made the sahara green. The land got dry and because it wasnt so heavy anymore... it got pushed up. Atlantis is translated as "the island of atlas" and the eye of the sahara matches a lot of what plato wrote. Plato got the story from someone that visited egypt, so i would question parts of his story (because how much could've been writen on the wall). What then bothers me is that the Sumerians had a very different language and people in mauritania speak arabic today, but i would go as far to say that Mauritania (area where the eye of the sahara is) and Mauori (native polynesians of new zealand) could have the same origin about 10 000BC that got crushed/reset by the meteror. Over all... the legend of Mu claims that there once was a great empire in the area of polynesia, but since we can confirm that the ocean is deep it can only be a empire of sailers and their costcitys got flooded by rising sealevels. The Sumerians also have a legend that tells how someone came from the sea and told them how to make bricks. From what ever culture that person came... if his culture made citys out of cley bricks then the citys of that culture would dissolve under water over time and we wouldnt be able to find them... it's a very complicated topic

[@franklinnanai2745]

The best documentary I've ever seen about Rapa Nui. As a Polynesian it hurts but thank you.

[@michaeljoseph3528]

Mr. Nahal, thank you for speaking for the Rapa Nui as well as for my Taino ancestors of the Caribbean who suffered similar faith.

[@jjt1881]

@@michaeljoseph3528 Our Taino ancestors suffered an even worse fate. They were exterminated. At least the Rapa Nui survived and still conserve their own language.

[@Lakers661Socal]

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts. I am truly inspired by the history of our ancestors.

[@phantomwalker8251]

lot of lies still in this doc..

[@wendellclayton694]

@@michaeljoseph3528 fMon t berry

[@felif4223]

I am Samoan and I feel so emotional right now finding out about what has happened to the people of this Island. I have shed tears today watching this a few times now.

[@OslerWannabe]

Well, don't get over it, or achieve closure just yet. The rest uf us, all 7.9 Billion of us are following the same trajectory, treating our isolated island, Gaia in the same heedless, wasteful way. It may be that the people of Rapa Nui let their little raft burn because they couldn't get any cooperation from the 35% of their number who lived for short-term comfort, cutting, digging, burning and chipping away at their tiny world. Why not? It's happening again, to the rest of us, the occupants of the small canoe, Gaia.

[@fransschepens3]

But the history is complete nonsence

[@peterveldman9498]

I am a samoan to

[@jirojhasuo2ndgrandcompany745]

​@@fransschepens3ok white

[@ajojmajoj4424]

The saddest episode of all six I watched. Solid lesson on how history is prone to be distorted and how many "lies" it might still comprise.

[@fishofgold6553]

Have you watched the 2 episodes about the Aztecs? Part 2, in my opinion, is the most saddening episode in this series (out of those I've watched fully).

[@HJKelley47]

Academics have whitewashed so much of history. One of our politicians from Florida wants no history taught in schools that tells of the history of slavery and racism in the US.

[@bonniesammons5107]

I felt similarly. I knew only the barest outlines of Easter Island's story. This series is excellent. I have listened to a few episodes but this is one of the saddest tales I have heard about how "civilized people" through ignorance and lack of respect for other cultures destoryed something beautiful and peaceful. :~

[@thomascassler4406]

@@bonniesammons5107 dose one think any of those things matter when one is hungery , all tho they did have fish , no , this destrucktion was mother nature ! if any sirvived they would have eating each other !

[@planetofthegrapes7838]

You're watching a podcast.

[@SJChip]

IF this series would ever be picked up by a "major" distributor - PLEASE don't let their producers talk you into "punching it up" with a bunch of loud sound effects, musical fanfares and flashy editing to feature emotionally charged video clips, etc. (ie: History Channel) This content DESERVES the introspective, academic tone that is presented with. Viewers should look upon these videos as a learning experience, not as mere entertainment. Indeed, I would suggest these videos being used in a formal education setting alongside the videos of Eugene Weber's The Western Tradition. With that said, some of the clip art and graphics could be improved / added, but only for content, not for visual stimulation.

[@markita.hardenhome]

AMEN! I can't take anything on the History Channel seriously anymore

[@perisemiotics3204]

nah man, it's fine the way it is... the moment corporate interests start jumping in it's over. I agree, some graphs and maybe annotations here and there could be better but really, he's done his part - masterfully - by reflecting critically on the historical and material record, and inspiring others to follow up on the adventure for knowledge - and humanity...

[@panzerabwerkanone]

You would have to add alien theory to get it on the History Channel.

[@horatiohuffnagel7978]

Put it on Pbs

[@gristamshackleford2102]

nothings worse than hearing those cheesy techno drum beats in commercial documentaries. its like im watching it to learn. not to dance.

[@phaslow4393]

Not to sound melodramatic but through your podcasts you have done more to arouse my interest and empathy for other cultures than most of my teachers in 16 years of schooling and definitely more than any politician in the countries I have lived in in my 49years. Respect.

[@RobertKeeleyTV]

Exactly.

[@ijustwanttolikecomments4677]

facts

[@alalal123421]

whyd you say melodramatic instead of just dramatic jw lol

[@speedingatheist]

@Phas Low Western European cultures bad, other cultures great, peaceful and in tune with nature. It's culture war masked as 'history'.

[@Fruitcupper]

Eloquently said!

[@DanceBeforeTheStorm_]

I am crying for people I've never met. Heartbreaking story, thank you for telling it so beautifully.

[@Lemonarmpits]

Did you cry during Titanic it was fake too?

[@michaell8002]

​@@Lemonarmpitsthe movie Titanic or the actual Titanic

[@planetofthegrapes7838]

Noble savage white guilt

[@nikolaitregouet]

Not a sentimental man, but the part about “our stolen friend” broke me a little bit. So sad… Great video. Thank you for this invaluable information

[@FallofCivilizations]

My pleasure Nikolai, thanks for watching

[@bonniesammons5107]

Yes - very sad, that part - and all of it....

[@stephenson19861]

True. Very sad.

[@standardbloke6156]

This part saddened me as well.

[@rodwood693]

And the fact that the thieves are known, yet still refuse to return it, is shameful.

[@muzasbar]

I will try my best to write this down in English, as that isn’t my native language... I’m from Chile, Rapa Nui’s current holder (at least on paper), and I honestly thank u for making this video... I was waiting for it since I discovered your podcast, and if I have to be honest to you, I was moved to tears, since no one has made such a great, respectful and comprehensive narrative of Rapa Nui’s history as you did. You see, here in Chile we are still being told, in the schools, universities and media, the “official history” of the island’s colapse; sadly, our history with native people has been full of genocide, “whitewashing” and erasure of the true history... such as sadly, one politician some decades ago said in public that there weren’t “indigenous people” in our country. I am so thankfull to you for making this free documentary, for arguing with evidence against the “European/Racist” narrative, and for illustrating the Rapa Nui people as they deserve to be: as a resiliant, beautiful nation. ¡Gracias!

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you, it really means a lot to receive this message! I'm so glad you've enjoyed, and thank you for your kind words.

[@hahahwhat]

Thank you so much for taking the time to say this! I agree, this piece was incredible. Your English is also wonderful, though I can help with more details. If you ever need an English tutor, please feel free to send me a DM.❤ No payment necessary.

[@aaronandreso.gamboa1883]

Un fuerte abrazo desde Bolivia hermano.

[@wessel7882]

I hope your people will revive. And will the truth return to them, Its really needs to happen... This kind of injustice has happened to TO many peoples around the world. Lets make that change, Bless your people, I will look out to the day they will return. Keep the faith and raise your children with this knowledge. Thank you for being who you are.

[@sammnew]

Wessel Nicely said ❤️❤️❤️ I agree 100%

[@bobbiebrandel3152]

One last thing........PLEASE keep your work independent so it remains pristine and thought provoking. Some of us truly do love learning about history.

[@Captain.Pugwash]

This just in.... FoC channel has landed a massive corporate sponsorship deal.... it seems that on Easter Island, they only drank Pepsi. And when they ran out, they refused to drink water and died of thirst :-)

[@alesdrobek2512]

This channel is one of my favs and Paul is doing a spectacular work but his narratives aren't above doubt. In the Aztec episode his explanation for the technological superiority of Europeans was that indigenous people simply settled the Americas too late and they didn't have time to develop as much. I'm not convinced. The Meso and South American civilizations were very advanced in some aspect, their cities easily rivaling those of Europe and Asia. They just didn't have the advantage of horses (the main reason Pizarro conquered the Inca), advanced metal smelting (steel) and gunpowder - all originating in Asia. And in this episode Paul is claiming the reason behind the decline of the Easter Island culture was the contact with the Europeans, which was indeed very damaging to the indigenous population. But he leaves out the fact that the island suffered a much greater catastrophe even before the European contact in 1722, when the population collapsed from 15 000 to about 2 000 and this WAS primarily due to the deforestation. Again, Paul is doing a spectacular work but sometimes he likes his narratives a bit too much.

[@huda-ih9mz]

@@alesdrobek2512 why did Paul forgot to talk about the deaths that happened due to the deforestation? And where can I find this research? Thank you in advance.

[@alesdrobek2512]

@@huda-ih9mz It's on Wikipedia.

[@Enochulate88]

His story

[@PatrickClarkin]

“Rapa Nui wasn’t the site of an ecological suicide, as we’ve been led to believe, but the site of a genocide.” This was a particularly emotional episode. Thank you for putting this together.

[@hizaleus]

One of the best, informative programs I have ever watched. One question: The program stated that all the moai were toppled, but the program also shows numerous, apparently modern, photos of standing statues. How are those presentations reconciled?

[@user-er7fl1mp6p]

Genocide so who killed those natives your analysis is very far from the true story hmmmp!!!!

[@PatrickClarkin]

@@user-er7fl1mp6p Um, did you actually listen to this podcast?

[@SuzyQpip]

@@user-er7fl1mp6p Are you kidding? You obviously weren't paying attention!

[@planetofthegrapes7838]

Cap

[@BriaLuis]

As a Samoan living in Hawaii, this episode hit home. Thank you for how respectful you were in accounting a piece of history of our people. I have seen many vids of Rapa Nui and the significance of the stones and lack of trees, but never a full accounting of how our brothers and sisters thrived and ultimately suffered at the end due to genocide from foreign invaders. This history, as well as the history of the Hawaiian islands, are similar in that way that foreigners, even seeing that there are already people living and thriving on these islands, thought themselves entitled to stake their claims just because they had the weapons and ammunition to do so. So sad. I cried at the ending because as much as some people want to justify the taking over of these islands (even today), our people, the Pacific Islanders, still feel the affects of it today. Thank you again and I am thoroughly enjoying this entire series so far.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you, really glad you thought so!

[@martinbuhnemann2668]

If by the actions of another/other civilization/s only a handful of people from a once thriving civilization survive and their cultural identity is systematically being stripped away from them, it is absolutely right to label it genocide. The recent events regarding the whalers was so incredibly saddening and made me furious to hear about. I haven't heard about that part of the history from Rapa Nui until now and it legitimately broke me. Thank you for the amazing content as usual. Blessings to this incredibly resilient and peaceful people.

[@denisepotter7462]

I have watched several episodes of this thought provoking series. I found this particular one to be the most heartbreaking of all so far. I thought I knew the story of these folks, when, in fact, I knew nothing at all. I can't even begin to explain the depth of sorrow and anger I felt at discoving the truth about these resourceful people. I am crying while typing this and feel ashamed for the way we, as humans, think we have the right to rule over others. We just can't seem to learn that lesson. This series is the most beautiful, respectful portrait of humans inhumane nature. I hope more people see these and it touches their hearts as much as it has mine. Thank you for educating people like myself. Wonderful work.

[@MrSmid888]

Well written. Sorry for our European invaders especially where I live 🇬🇧. All the best ✌🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@traaztek1996]

@@StickyGelatin forced relocation is a literal definition of genocide

[@straycat9157]

I am 36 years old, and being of a dying culture myself, I must say that this is the first documentary in my life that make me cry. Thank you wholeheartedly for making this masterpiece of series. And I really hope the people of Rapa Nui have his moai back and his beautiful culture endure for many centuries more.

[@avocadokirby1517]

If I may ask, which culture?

[@sammavacaist]

Southern Evangelical Christian are you?

[@sobbyhasselhoff]

Why would you lie about being 36?

[@GeNTooFReaK]

I'm 35 and also of a dying culture: East German.

[@sobbyhasselhoff]

@@GeNTooFReaK für das beste oder nein?

[@banishedfromars]

Man I was literally taught the the Easter Island natives destroyed themselves just as you said . And I just believed it till now. Thank you .

[@bbictorr]

As was I. Oppressors always deflect and blame something/one else.

[@daddykarlmarx6183]

Honestly I never knew anything about Easter island except for those mysterious heads

[@myrkflinn4331]

yeah a friend of mine also told me it was their own dimise but i dont believe it, cos i believe they loved their land so much, why would they destroy it? it clearly shows how much nature keeps them going and satisfied to live among.

[@DissidentB]

This is what we were being told in anthropology courses at Western universities as recently as 10 years ago, and is probably still what's being taught in education systems throughout the Western imperial core. Indeed oppressors and exploiters always project their own crimes and catastrophes onto their victims and rivals but can never take responsibility for any of it themselves.

[@MarkWhippy]

Yeah I remember seeing a documentary on discovery channel saying this. I think that’s why this narrative caught on.

[@johnbono2384]

I adore this series, but this is the episode that I keep coming back to. I dont know if it's because I know the least about Easter Island, or because of the extraordinary nature of the story of Rapa Nui, but this is the kind of historical storytelling I wish we had more of in the world.

[@adamducharme7333]

So many of the stories of collapsed civilizations began and end thousands of years ago. This is a unique story that began thousands of years ago and ends barley a couple hundred years ago in relatively modern times.

[@rumunndur4841]

It's interesting with it being one of the first episodes. It does strike a special chord still.

[@ronnychristenjoyer6778]

I think the saddest part is when they toppled their statues. They must have felt so disappointed and disillusioned. It is like they had their heart ripped out.

[@thomascassler4406]

one has too think this still is all but speckulation !

[@sirjuju4766]

As a Polynesian myself, I never believed in the suicide stories told by ppl not of those lands..Thank you for not Believing the lies..

[@anydaynow01]

Yes this has to be one of the most comprehensive and objective accounts of what happened on Rapa Nui (also I liked how he continued calling it by it's true name instead of Eastern Island). I learned so much about what happened to the culture from this, for example I didn't know the written language hasn't been translated yet. Maybe with the help of AI and getting a larger representative sample of the words from private collections we will be able to one day!

[@canadianuserthe]

Mu

[@Marseile1000]

anydaynow , , ,. ""

[@saroyafanniel8932]

@@Marseile1000 Hopefully...an end to *Arrogance + Ignorance = Savagery* ______________________________________

[@jeffbenson9479]

They got hungry and ate each other

[@lorider500]

This is nothing short of heartbreaking....but I’m so glad I got the opportunity to learn about these strong people. I pray their cultural artifacts get returned soon.

[@Quark.Lepton]

If I ever spot any Rapa Nui artifacts, I will-relentlessly-work to have them returned to the Islanders. In the meantime, I want to learn more about how to properly recognize them.😔 🙏 People laughed at the Islander when, after being asked how they moved the statues, he said, “We walked them there.” Awesome! Thank you for this wonderful documentary! This deserves a very high Filmmaker’s Award-or the proper industry equivalent!

[@NazarethSandoArt]

@@Quark.Lepton ...I was also pretty happy to see that their traditional stories were true. They walked :)

[@awuma]

For a year, I avoided watching this show because I thought we knew everything, I had read Diamond's book. I never expected THIS, and to shed a tear or two. This is such a relentlessly tragic story over the past 300 years, though I would like to have heard an epilogue of how the people of Rapa Nui seem to have recovered somewhat and how the Moai were re-erected in places, though things are by no means rosy.

[@hiltrud2001]

Yes I also would like to know how the statues were erected again! As German living in Greece I know something about British filling their museums with stolen artifacts!

[@hiltrud2001]

@The Richest Man In Babylon I thought I had answered: Thanks for reminding me in this kind and considerate way and I am sorry, you're absolutely right!

[@colinhunt4057]

Diamond was a liar. It was known for many years that Easter Island was visited by European whaling ships throughout most of the 19th century. And isolated as it was, the whaling crews could behave as badly as they wished because there was no law to stop them. And the islanders continued to be ravaged by diseases brought by the Europeans. Finally, the island was depopulated by a gang of mercenaries in the employ of the Bolivian government wanting slaves to work South American copper mines. To make the roundup of the natives easier, the mercenaries burnt the island's vegetation to the ground. The island was only repopulated after Chile won the Great Pacific War in the late 1880s and returned the slaves that remained alive to Easter Island.

[@Lemonarmpits]

They make stuff up

[@darlaasbill7925]

5:47 5:47

[@russelljackson2818]

This one ties with the Aztecs as your absolute best so far. The Aztecs episode is an unparalleled epic, and this one is a heartbreaking tragedy. This really shows what's possible with a history presentation when you replace sensationalism with empathy and understanding.

[@TheFightingRoo]

My nan told me stories of my family connecting the Americas to Australia & the pacific through trade. We were very aware of each other’s cultures.

[@maxmeier4039]

Dude, this hit me harder than any work of art I've seen in years. Towards the end there, hearing about the fate the islanders I was getting emotional, I thought I was going to shed a single manly tear... But then it ended with the children singing, to the tempo of the carving stone... Man I lost it. I've been lying in bed crying for the past fifteen minutes. Thank you for making this... I guess that's all, I have no more words

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you Max, glad you thought so!

[@joannvalencia4623]

I cried too, for the fate of a beautiful culture and its people.

[@marcdemell5976]

Tears heal the soul brother ! Halleluyah!

[@AGMundy]

Yes I too found myself wiping away an involuntary tear at the end of this documentary. I thought the request to support the music school demonstrated true empathy for the people of Rapa Nui.

[@ultimatefinishers]

Cried at the end. My ancestors tell stories of migration from there to other islands and finally New Zealand Aoteroa. This documentary was well done with taste and passion will be sharing this with family and friends thank you for the dedication and time spent on such a wonderful project. The pronunciation wasn't bad either. You should be proud of your work

[@haumakaa]

A deep, informed, human, up-to-date, well-made and essential documentary. As a Chilean I think it should be shared even on our television. Especially after the 2021 constitutional convention that would grant greater autonomy and historical reparation to the Rapa Nui people has failed. Many in Chile are still exposed to the theory of self-destruction of this culture,

[@AWESOMERACECAR2013]

thank you so much for this, as a samoan new zealander I have never heard the story of our brothers and sisters on rapa nui. this video made me feel so many things; proud that polynesians independently developed writing, angry about all of the injustices done against the rapa nui - especially the british STILL refusing to return the stolen moai -, and the ending with the children singing made me tear up. once again thank you so much, hopefully we come back to the pacific in a future episode :)

[@duma2lupin]

The documentary stands as a beautiful tribute to Rapa Nui.

[@happyfree8235]

Beautiful history story of human spirit Some questions remain unanswered ;)

[@happyfree8235]

Keep working very interesting ;(

[@demharsh]

Bobo

[@demharsh]

Nobbo

[@gordonpeacman2126]

The Inhabitants of Rapa-nuis, amazing journey...from Persia...to...N.Z. a journey of app 4500yrs... From the top of the American Continent to the Bottom... 2 N.Z. Maori Tribes are who they are today... Waio-Taha... Ngati Hotu... (I wonder if their from Iraq, Hotu caves area) Blue an Green eyed, Red an Blonde haired, Maoris....

[@willyuhler3417]

My grandma took me and my sister to visit Easter Island in 1989 I was 11 I'll never forget we flew from Santiago Chile and spent the day there it was so amazing and also my last trip with grandma she passed three months later. Every time I think of her I think of the awesome trip we took

[@benjaminbradley6669]

That's a pretty cool memory.

[@nickisnyder3450]

The Moi reminded those people of their ancestors...& now they remind you of your ancestor, RIP grandma!

[@aguysittingonachair2896]

That’s so lovely.

[@jplast6033]

Sorry to hear. Dreamin to get there someday.

[@dawnpiper5883]

Take it back what a sorry end

[@TheFightingRoo]

Thank you. I am descended of the slaves taken from the pacific, to my Dad it was a great a shame & it hurts me as deeply as it hurts him but I am not Ashamed, I am prouder for knowing where I came from & the stories she made sure she passed on to her grandchildren. Thanks to her I could trace my linage to the very tribe that connected Easter Island through trade to Melanesia & the broader Astronesian empire. Thanks to her stories I can now with research find a forgotten history no one wanted to see because then they would need to admit their culture helped destroy it.

[@jasmin4947]

I did not expect to cry so much at this one. "Our stolen friend" broke me.

[@smashtoad]

The History Channel is a joke compared to this. Beautifully done. Bravo.

[@psylocibin9359]

Action bronson watches ancient aliens

[@ballsdeep2520]

Actually the history channel is just a joke all together

[@ianbeddowes5362]

The History Channel is highly ideologically weighted.

[@andrewcalleja4642]

The History Channel is owned by the same people as the Fake News owners , they just put out what ever it is they want you to know.

[@marywinterstein9562]

The History channel used to be, get ready for this, about history!

[@wasfuerkeksigkeit]

Hmm, wasn't expecting to cry at the end, but here we are.

[@estellesilver8299]

I cried too, and not for the first time at one of Paul Cooper's documentaries. They are so incredibly well presented ❤

[@machshfive]

Same... my heart was ripped in half at "Our Stolen Friend."

[@user-of7td9oo7d]

.Sad story It tells how people could be living, but they don't. Romantic, but plausible.

[@1tieszen384]

@@estellesilver8299 t

[@BlueBaron3339]

I've never felt so emotionally wrung-out after watching a history documentary before, or more grateful that it was created.

[@tahamohiuddin7425]

Thank you for telling this story. I didn't expect to be so attached to this small group of islanders.

[@martin92679]

As a Pacific Islander, I really like this production and the analysis and research that went behind this documentary. It also gave me an appreciation for the current situation of fellow Pacific Islanders in Rapa Nui. Top notch?

[@Luboman411]

( :( :( at 1:35:27. I almost cried. That's incredibly sad. "Our Stolen Friend." That's tragic. Truly tragic. I hope some day the British Museum does the decent thing and just return this treasured object to the islanders. They've already gone through heinous treatment from Westerners. They owe them at least that. This isn't like India or Greece--who are also demanding the return of their treasures the British took. India, Greece and the like are now mighty nations, able to represent their interests well. These are a defenseless people, almost all gone. Giving them back "Their Stolen Friend" is the decent, proper thing to do.

[@fr9874]

100% agree, I think its very selfish, The Rapa Nui created it, and I'm sure it took an incredible amount of time and effort, it was symbolic to them and we have locked up in a museum so that our own people may enjoy the sight of it rather then those who own and deserve this incredible piece of history! If I ever meet the Queen I will ask her to give it back! 🙂

[@johnnyplatis]

British Museum never returns nothing my friend. Sad but true.

[@jill_fisher]

The concepts of zoos and museums were perhaps relevant before the days of television, cinema, internet and cheap world travel as they permitted a view of foreign things. Now the time has come to do the right thing and return the artifacts to their rightful locations. To hang on to them is nothing less than greed and arrogance, and not worthy of so-called civilised people.

[@tingtingshiny2877]

@@johnnyplatis they return items when they are ready to take a bigger stake and monopoly on the people staking the claims.

[@nigelmacdonald9999]

Perhaps you should look to the Spanish and their Conquistador descendants for reparations for slavery. Obviously blaming the British is the woke thing to do.

[@hnozima]

This is one of the saddest stories I have heard in my life. Such injustice! Thanks for the amazing documentary, but it is impossible not to feel sadness and revolt listening to it.

[@clifforddalton3067]

This video brought me to tears in the end.

[@albinobadguy7052]

I've always wanted to know more about Easter Island but mainstream history says it's just a mystery. Well, as you put it, it really isn't such a mystery. I don't think anyone wanted to tell the story before. This is the most detailed, informative and comprehensive telling of the story of Easter Island, which I will from now on always refer to as Rapa Nui. Thanks Paul and team for your research and effort you put into this. TY for sharing your knowledge. It's a beautiful yet sad story that needed to be told.

[@politicallycorrectredskin796]

I guess it's a positive development that people at least try to cover up their genocides now. Back in the day they would have bragged about it on monuments.

[@madvtecyo546]

Its sad to think some people think aliens made and moved the Moai statues lol. Really Takes away the amazing achievement and hard work these islanders accomplished. Truly amazing. Such a sad history.

[@SuperMrHiggins]

It is sad. "I don't understand how people did this, therefore they didn't." Thank you history Channel. *sigh* It is sad

[@xKinjax]

Same for the Pyramids all over the world, massive temples in Greece and Rome, megalithic structures across Europe and Britain. It seems people just love to devalue to great achievements of our ancestors.

[@alalal123421]

@@SuperMrHiggins the history channel said that??

[@rayanderson5797]

@@alalal123421 The History channel still, to my knowledge, promotes a show called 'Ancient Aliens', which presents such outlandish theories, supported by out-of-context, exaggerated, and often outright fabricated evidence.

[@catalinacaro8183]

"work so hard that people in the future think aliens did it"

[@IchPepe1977]

This is simply one of the best things I've seen on KZbin.

[@diogoperroni1]

Paul thank you and your team for all your premium excellence work! Every episode is as informative as it is beautiful in all senses. I've cried to this one. The Rapa Nui native people deserve to have this knowledge become known worldwide.

[@deadredeyes]

The last 20 minutes of this documentary is so sad, and it just gets worse, and worse towards the end. After hearing how the british stole Hoa Hakananai'a, I broke into tears. I can't find anything to say, just at a loss of words as to what I've witnessed this past hour. Thanks for your amazing work and dedication to detail FoC. Absolutely stunning and brutal documentary.

[@jaketaylor1031]

Goodness gracious, every episode on this channel is an absolute tour de force. Keep doing what you’re doing man.

[@cristianlira9778]

Would be nice to have a Spanish version of this episode, as a Chilean citizen I would like to share this with the younger generations, let me know if you would consider this, happy to help.

[@manuellubian5709]

You can change the language by using the symbol you'll find onscreen that, looks like, a gear or wheel. There you can change the language to whatever language is necessary. Hope this helps.

[@CoolChristina59]

This is my favourite episode, I love them all but this one speaks to me. In a calm way you are outraged at how these amazing peoples story was twisted to make the collapse the fault of them when really it was the the horrible treatment of them from outsiders. Each time I feel the power of the words "and it wasn't because the cut down the trees." Kia Kaha to the Rapa Nui people

[@RyanWolfNZ]

I put this on as a background while I was working and ended up completely transfixed. Stunning work completely changed my understanding of the history of the island. Inspiring, keep it up!

[@dickschwanzstein1789]

Your understating or your understanding of its history?

[@tianeawong9281]

As a polynesian decent, mahalo nui for this historical documentary.

[@marteinsks6979]

i am sorry for your ancestors , i am from Ireland we were a persecuted people by the British also , how were people so cruel and greedy

[@mrfin02]

@@marteinsks6979 it's okay, I'm Polynesian BTW. It's all in the past now. We all must move forward 🙏🏽

[@marteinsks6979]

@@mrfin02 yes your right but restoration should be made regarding the statues removed

[@EasterMegs]

Wow, this was so incredibly researched and put together. I had always been told that the people of Rapa Nui had destroyed their own civilization, and I'm so glad that you've educated me on what really took place. It never made sense that a civilization that survived and thrived there for so long had suddenly taken themselves out. My heart absolutely aches for the beautiful people and culture there that were so victimized by the greed of others.

[@DesertFernweh]

You did see the part when they said that the rats that the Polynesians brought with them where a key aspect to the deforestation and ecological collapse? But it just more fun to blame the Europeans. Racist

[@garymorgan3443]

Incredible work here. Your podcasts have changed entire views of history. This one, I wept. The last half hour was brutal, but so needed to be portrayed. Thank you.

[@PRH123]

The only complete and comprehensive and factual history of Easter Island I’ve ever seen. And beautifully done. Really shows the power of this medium to educate.

[@capitalistconsumer9090]

Splendid documentary. Suggestion for your next project: The fall of The History Channel.

[@sevendubb]

How to fail as The History Channel: Show yourself to a population largely disinterested, half the time for racist reasons, in your subject matter. Go down to common denominator, 'popcorn' content. The End.

[@virgilmccabe2828]

I tire of hearing people whine about the History channel. You don’t have to watch it. I find it is often entertaining whether it is accurate or not. I also tire of hearing racism bandied about like a club. I know that racism exists but most cases are imagined by someone dwelling on the past. Grow up and get over it

[@snipedotgenius]

@@virgilmccabe2828 if your not from a position of a minority then you’ll not know how it feels to experience racism so if I was you sometimes it’s better to keep your mouth shut as you sound borderline racist with them ignorant comments ..

[@virgilmccabe2828]

@@snipedotgenius I experience racism quite often and mostly from minorities who blame all those people who are not of their own racial backgrounds for past incidents they had no connection with. Living in Texas makes me a minority as most of the people here are Hispanic. I have yet to see any racial issues with our Hispanic citizens. Lots of us speak Spanish and blend very well with them. Racism is any form is indicative of a low intelligence

[@SPQR7117]

​@@snipedotgenius Knock it off. "Racism" can be experienced by *any* person of *any* skin color *anywhere* regardless of who's in the minority or majority in terms of skin colors. This idea that _only_ a minority skin skin color group can experience racism and that its impossible for them to be racist is 100% a Marxist lie. It is false and designed to divide people among skin color groups.

[@pilotactor777]

Phew.....you did it again. This is one of the most tragic tales I've heard about mans inhumanity to man. Will humanity ever learn And??And thankyou for re- writing the history ❤

[@mekilangwambe6322]

Each individual episode in this podcast is at the highest level of excellence, but this for me is top! The manner in which conventional narrative is challenged, and the great ability to empathise with the victims of Easter Island is just breathtaking. 👏🏿.

[@SuperAntichicken]

This channel makes me feel like I'm learning, loving history, and growing wiser.

[@phantomwalker8251]

hey vegi..want some real history you never learn about..dttv & viper tv,on sumerian tablets..if that doesnt interest you,your brain dead..

[@issam9082]

This episode is completely built on false hypothesis

[@rossdenton5692]

It feels like a respite from attention deficit entertainment. Just introspection and learning

[@dortesandal4303]

Forget it - you Will always be a clown😜❤️👍...yes beautifully made ❤️

[@dortesandal4303]

@@issam9082 ok - would you care to explain more in depth? A Lot Seem to like it, even people who originate from the area. It is quite ok if you cannot be bothered. Sincere Regards☀️☀️☀️

[@ManaSong]

This civilization didn't fall. It was beaten down, again and again. Heartbreaking. The Rapa Nui people did not deserve what happened to them. Legit cried at this one. Thank you for this series, and the absolutely amazing quality of the research and presentation.

[@kmc5930]

As a member of an Indigenous culture that was subjected to cultural genocide thru colonialism as well, this video was heart-breaking but also amazing. I love how you bring these societies to life and tell their WHOLE story! Please keep up your remarkable work!!

[@bobbythebobtail]

Thank you for making these history films, they are beautifully done and your script writing is excellent. Cheers

[@bryanbaas9629]

This was heart wrenching to watch. Thank you for not glazing over or even skipping the more wretched parts of our history. I will never watch another one of those "Mystery of Easter Island" videos the same way again. The real mystery is why does history conveniently "forget" atrocities like what happened to the beautiful Rapa Nui people and then label them as "mysteries"?

[@yohanaberhe3587]

Humanity is beautiful and incredibly sad, and all at the same time. You have done well, Paul. Thank you for holding a mirror of history for us to look and learn.

[@realkabecio]

Your research of each civilization that you analyze covers so much more ground than most other accounts that I've read or seen. Your calm, even but not monotonous voice also makes this material so palatable to the ear. It's easy for my memory banks to store, grasp and understand all the the info. Thanks for your hard work! I have so loved pondering these things all of my life. For me it all started when I first saw the Rapa Nui statues as a child in the fifties, and now I know more about this than ever.

[@marlbboro8091]

Just discovered your channel and listened to the Han dynasty yesterday and then listened to this one twice (will be listening for a third time this morning). In my history of listening to podcasts and watching YT since the last 10+ years this is the first and ONLY time I have not only subbed but also become a patron after 2 videos!

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thanks my friend, that really means a lot!

[@conniewalker1943]

This is one of the most heart wrenching histories I've ever heard. You did an excellent job of showing the positives about the culture so we could experience the tragedy of its loss. Thank you.

[@tomgunn8004]

kool aid?

[@boogiewookie77]

@@tomgunn8004 So sorry you drank it. Hope you're doing better now.

[@kevinavila9489]

The injustice done to the natives of the island breaks my heart

[@mikesimms5750]

🤣 nobody did anything to them tho what are you even talking about

[@imthatnggruponthatnag7784]

@@mikesimms5750 You didn't watch it then. How did you miss the kidnapping and enslavement or the stealing of their treasured art?

[@christineromeijn2096]

Sometimes you just want to cry about history. And you wonder, how much of it is history, and how much of it is still going on.

[@sofsofsofsof]

this has to be the first documentary ever that made me cry, thank you for your work

[@mrdisco99]

This is one of the most impressive channels I've found recently on KZbin. Fantastic work. Looking forward to more.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you Ric, very kind of you!

[@drecdabeast]

Africas exploration did not end there misinformation

[@ramaneesanthiapillai8673]

So sad Human selfishness can be so cruel

[@jonathanmitchell7903]

The eye of HORUS

[@mf21088]

Fall of Civilizations mmmjhty

[@justagirlonfire]

Completely heartbroken, reduced to tears, and have just donated to the school. It seems like they are really in trouble at the moment and this podcast/docu could not have come at a better time to raise awareness about this important and invisibilised history and the work they are doing.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you! Yes, the Chilean government has cut all their funding, and I think they will really appreciate your support.

[@gangstar8652]

"Invisibilised" Pray, did you just make that word up when invisible would have sufficed?

[@allenblakemoor9251]

Please say ,,,,,, how to make donation. My regards ,and Thank you in advance ....

[@phoenixdavida8987]

@@gangstar8652 lol

[@annanocentini2447]

Thanks thanks thanks for the precious work you do. Being able to listen to an ancient folk song sung by kids at a school in the place the song comes from is a privilege

[@mariaabulencia]

I could only cry, marvel and bow to such traditions. Thank you for this precious documentary 🙏

[@bluehazard2]

I rarely make a comment on youtube but after binge-watching this channel, this episode is really hurting and sad. my people had a fair share of experience of how ferocious European colonization and their thirst for riches, exploration, and exploitation. Millions died, killed, enslaved, tortured, abused, and exploited for their conquest. but we way past that, we see that as a dark stain in our history and perhaps a harsh lesson for us to continue further. great video and great channel! I hope we are civilized enough in the future that this kind of tragedy won't happen again.

[@dortesandal4303]

❤️❤️❤️

[@MsLinda165]

History, if we read it, teaches us that All races, nationalities, sects, eventually suffer a fate like this; it's human nature to allow power to corrupt, and enslave others. If the aboriginals had sailed off and conquered other lands, they'd have pillaged and slaughtered as well. The aboriginals in North America were busy warring and slaughtering each other before Europeans intervened in their history line. No one person is off the hook. We see power corrupting the 'karens' in the pandemic. Give a person a bit of power and they become dictators, suppressing those around them. The Bolsheviks that upturned the royals in Russia went on to become worse- slaughtering their own people, sending the rest to work camps. The French Revolution, same thing...the populace detests their royals, so they guillotine them, and then turn on each other with the same violence. This documentary is not taking into account human nature and all that it entails.

[@zainabe9503]

It's the Abrahamic religions, not the colonization per se.

[@Historyfan476AD]

Does not matter the race of people or where they came from. If given the ability to do it and power history has shown no matter where in the world people will enact cruelness on others.

[@xKinjax]

@@AhmAnakiKamIhaXiHuanEL- name a single major civilization across history that fought no wars, enslaved no one (and I don't just mean the kind of slavery Americans think of, farmers being bound to their land and exploited by a rulling class is also slavery) and interfered in no one else's culture. You can't, because it's human nature to want what the other guy has even if you already have as much or more than him. We've been killing each other since we discovered how to create tools and weapons and all our ancestors have blood on their hands.

[@corrincrellin]

I cannot tell you how much all my friends and I love this podcast, thank you for making it visual! My best buddy is in a wheelchair and nods off trying to listen to the audio alone... to be able to send this means so much... I thank you brother for all your hard work... So many people love it and are enriched, learning about everything you've shown us... Thank you!

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you so much, Fred! This is such a lovely message to receive. Best wishes to you and your buddy - thanks for listening!

[@issam9082]

Fall of Civilizations in 28:29 the same square mark on the stone was found in the pyramid on egypt and Peru . The stones were NEVER been moved they were BUILT if you want to know how ask the ancien égyptien. Sadly this episode were built on false hypothesis.

[@shycracker]

This still is the only Podcast today that make me cry a rive, what a tragedy that befell on those Easter Island folks 😭

[@loveandhealing111]

“Our stolen friend” 😪 heart wrenching

[@MaddRamm]

I never knew the true history of the Rapa Nui. I always heard they chopped all their trees down and destroyed their environment and died out because of that. Thank you for presenting the truth! Eye opening and heartbreaking!

[@Foxyfreedom]

Wait…but that’s exactly what the documentary said happened. They chopped down their trees and wiped out their forests

[@ijustwanttolikecomments4677]

@@Foxyfreedom right, but that wasn't the reason for their societal collapse is the point OP was making

[@jamescourts1030]

@mitchell.fox24 - exactly. Seemed to take a long time with this song and dance saying it wasn’t that, then saying it was exactly that. Been digging this channel but the language and some things he says makes me question what I’ve heard now a lot...

[@beedubree2550]

@@jamescourts1030 his point was not that that didn't happen; his point was that that did happen but it was not the reason that Rapa Nui society fell, as the popular narrative claims

[@rachaelerin1]

@@jamescourts1030 I don’t think he could have been any more clear that deforestation is not the reason the society collapsed. He goes through that theory and tears it apart point by point.

[@tyhensley7076]

This is all I wanted History channel to do... not the garbage junkyard shows

[@skthechef8075]

Don't forget all the ww2 documentaries

[@mscir]

It's aliens. LOL

[@Annalovesautumn]

I do love junk in moderation, it's a kind of history all its own. But this is better by a mile.

[@suprcrzy]

@TheInkinJapan - 🤔 hmm I'm very intrigued by these theories. I wish there was a channel that ran these types of garbage shows ALL THE TIME! Alas, I don't think we'll ever get a channel like that in our lifetime.. Unless of course some aliens come down and make a channel like that. They could even call it something crazy, like the history channel, or something like that..

[@atate23]

@@skthechef8075 no problem with those. Matter of fact i wish they did more Vietnam docs.

[@christianeholl6075]

What paradise this must have been, what charismatic art, and what tragedy, leaving me back in tears and shame !Thx again dear Paul Cooper ur the best

[@starchan2036]

All of your episodes leave me thoughtful and sentimental, but i actually cried during this one. "Our stolen friend".

[@CrackleCat]

Likewise.

[@trippiesissy]

I’m literally crying, trying to hide my tears at work. Such a beautiful narration of a devastatingly sad and amazing story. Thank you 🙏

[@normonsta8057]

can i have your job, it sounds easy

[@trippiesissy]

NorMonsta come on over!

[@mikedittsche]

@@normonsta8057 imagine watching a 2h KZbin documentary at work 😄.

[@antwill6939]

this destroyed me. heartbreaking and tragic. thank you for telling us the truth

[@user-cp3ju4zs8c]

I was recently in Hawaii, and got really interested about polynesian colonization of the pacific Islands. Great documentary, I was taught the same false theories before. Its amazing that we can watch this great content for free.

[@glc0stanza]

This broke my heart. Thank you for the hard work.

[@keelanc1681]

This one was utterly heartbreaking. I was fighting back tears by the end.

[@reikawahara770]

This is the absolute best Easter Island documentary I've seen. Well done !

[@pavelkrachunov6954]

This is the best Historical channel on KZbin. It's an amazing pleasure to hear the work of a highly intelligent people as rear it is. Paul Cooper is very intelligent writer and sees the big picture as well as the human side which is the most important. Great work!

[@stephenmaclellan2733]

This episode made me cry

[@darranporter4637]

The Fall of Civilisations' style of unbiased, unsensationalised and historically honest sharing is so gratefully welcome in a world of unreliable news/history and myth promotion. This episode is especially tragic and I thank you for all your work bringing it to us so professionally.

[@2dawgsmiked684]

Unbiased? Your white guilt has blinded you.

[@darranporter4637]

@@2dawgsmiked684 This is an actual (accurate) historical essay. Not politics. The colour of my skin is irrelevant.

[@ericsvilpis1635]

Absolutely heartbreaking. Such a wonderful telling of this story.

[@ericsvilpis1635]

Susan Nilsen oh okay cool. Thanks for clearing that up.

[@peterstyles7034]

This has changed how I will teach about Rapa Nui. Stunned by what you have revealed.

[@77sogeorge]

I truly felt very distant and a unique sense of isolation when I was in Rapa Nui. I also experienced the darkest of nights with the brightest of stars. Forever printed in my memory.

[@richardsargentsr.1384]

This series is the best archeologiy I've come across. Where many documentaries leave me more questions than answers., this series has many facts, superbly written and photograped. Well done my friend.

[@purltwotogether8218]

Thank you for sharing this beautifully filmed and well researched video. I've always been interested in Easter Island and the classical "ecological disaster" explanation never was deeply convincing to me so it was very intriguing to have a different perspective offered. I especially enjoyed the spirit of hopefulness with which the video ended- the resilence and integrity of the islanders seeking to keep their traditions alive for the future is a beautiful thing.

[@mattsmyth4574]

I have listened to this whole series 5 times. The detail, the context given, the pacing, and the images are fantastic. Nothing like it.

[@hollyw9566]

This is the saddest episode so far. These innocent people. How it all must have broken their hearts.

[@Angryoldman50]

Imagine if I had grown up learning such a proper account of history . My second time watching it all the way through. In my humble opinion I believe it's an honest account of occurrences. A plethora of discussion and contemplation . As far as us , in the moment, we are blessed to have heard the story . Easter Island is a lesson in humanity.

[@westho7314]

And a priceless lesson FOR humanity.

[@lelaandpeniganivatusspace6541]

Thank you for your coverage over Rapa Nui. So much sadness towards the end. As a Pacific Islander, this is one detailed and impressive coverage over Rapa Nui.

[@thepeskytraveller3870]

Its not the carving part that makes the production of these impossible. Its the precision that has been achieved using the tools that they had. Goes the same with any stone structures found across the world. Great work though. Again, another wonderful documentary. Thank you!

[@cadedario5560]

Wow, I just got more and more depressed the more I watched this video. It's so sad to see a culture and a people die out due to colonizers. But it was a great video and I'm glad to know more about this island. Sadly, many islands have faced very similar circumstances. Thank you for making this video. Hopefully, Rapa Nui will be able to build back and grow into a thriving island once again.

[@tonibauer2949]

Cade Dario the same happened to so many Native American in what is now the USA.

[@batrachian149]

@@cancel1913 You see this tragic, complicated tale and your only impulse is to seek a gotcha. Are you empty? Have you no humanity?

[@tonibauer2949]

Batra Chian there are far more glib, snarky, shallow people in the world than those who are thoughtful and willing to consider complex issues, sadly.

[@seacrestsmith657]

The Rapa Nui didn't die out because of colonizers. The first ships were just visiting. It's tragic that they were decimated by disease like so many other isolated people but that's not the fault of Europeans, they didn't know either.

[@cadedario5560]

@@seacrestsmith657 You're right, no one colonized. I miswrote. But definitely, at least according to the video, wasn't just disease. Things were definitely different back then so you can't blame them for the diseases, but definitely still sad to see that forces outside of their own control would be the cause of their civilization declining.

[@connorsmith2059]

When you said that all the large statues had been toppled. It broke my heart.

[@aa4a-a4]

Listened to this last night. Genuinely amazing. One of the best documentaries I've ever listened to.

[@ALANONYMUS]

Very emotional... I dream about visiting the island since I was in high-school... Now I am in my sixties and I finally booked my journey in September this year ... Thank you for opening my eyes and my soul to Rapa Nui

[@squeaky_buddha]

"And before we judge of them too harshly we must remember what ruthless and utter destruction our own species has wrought, not only upon animals, such as the vanished bison and the dodo, but upon its inferior races." - H.G. Wells (War Of The Worlds)

[@tingtingshiny2877]

Bless this thoughtful reminder from Wells. ✌

[@poisongothik]

Let's just not incur in the same mistake the documentary warns us about. Aside from the fact that there's no such thing as "inferior races", they were clearly not inferior in any way, on the contrary. I'd argue their peaceful nature is a virtue that all peoples should aspire to, especially Europeans and people from the USA.

[@imranroy4731]

Probably why H. G. Wells was never knighted (lack of white supremacism and being more humanitarian) but Doyle was (a perfect White Knight writer).

[@rosemaryclunie3413]

"Inferior races"??? Poor old Wells couldn't rid himself of his eurocentrism, even with this charitable thought.

[@khester7397]

Martially inferior, inarguably. Morally? The evidence strongly supports superiority.