Who Discovered Easter Island?
Learn who discovered Easter Island or Rapa Nui. Read about the original Polynesian voyagers and the later arrival of Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen in 1722.
Easter Island or Rapa Nui was first discovered by Polynesian voyagers between 800 and 1200 CE. The voyager were led by the legendary King Hotu Matu’a across the Pacific Ocean. It was on 5th April 1722, Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen became the first European to establish contact with this remote island.
Where is Eastern Island Located?
Easter Island is a volcanic island located in the Southeastern Pacific Ocean. It is recognised as a special territory of Chile and is located 3500 kms west of Chile.
Who were the First Settlers of Easter Island?
Polynesian sailors were the first sailors of Easter Island. Oral traditions name Hotu Matu'a as the first king of Easter Island. He sailed from a mythical land called Hiva in two large canoes. He brought his family and extended clan to the island. They introduced crops like bananas, taro, and sugarcane to the isolated land.
Modern carbon dating suggests that the island was inhabited during 800-1200 CE.
Centuries later, Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen sighted the island on Easter Sunday on 5th April, 1722. He named it Paasch-Eyland, meaning Easter Island. He led a fleet of three ships. His crew stayed for one week. They documented the massive stone statues and the indigenous population. Roggeveen believed that there was a mythical continent named Terra Australis Incognita and was exploring the Pacific ocean when he saw this island.
Timeline of Settlement in Easter Island
The following is a timeline of the timeline of the settlement of people in Easter Island.
1. 800-1200 CE: Polynesian settlers arrive and establish the Rapa Nui civilization.
2. 1250-1500 CE: The Rapa Nui people carve over 900 Moai statues.
3. April 5, 1722: Jacob Roggeveen arrives and records the first European contact.
4. 1770: Spanish navigators arrive and claim the territory for Spain.
5. 1774: British Captain James Cook visits and notes a depleted population.
Interesting Facts about Easter Island
1. The largest Moai statue recovered in Easter Island stood 33 feet tall.
2. The Rapa Nui people developed a writing system called the Rongorongo which is yet to be deciphered by scholars till date.
3. The Nazca tectonic plate moves the island by 6 centimeters every year.
The leader of the clan was determined by a bird egg race competition known as Tangata Manu where the participants need to carry the intact egg of a sooty tern to the island from the nearby island Motu Nui.
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Mriganka Chakraborty is a seasoned digital journalist and communications professional who is currently working as Deputy Manager at Jagran Josh, where he leads the General Knowledge Section. As a subject matter expert with 8+ years of editorial experience, he has created authoritative content that is trusted by millions of readers around the world in Science, History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Sports, and Technology. His extensive expertise in these subjects enables him to present complex topics in an engaging, accurate, and reader-friendly manner to a global audience, making learning addictive and fun.
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