There is a conflict that exists within regards to the first inhabitants of The Easter Islands with differing dates stating that the first islanders arrived in the 4th or 5th century which conflicts with recent archaeological findings that predict that inhabitants were in existence from as early as 800 AD.

King HotuMatua led the first settlers from the east and landed at Anakena, which is situated on the island’s northern coastline.  In may be of interest to learn that Matua is a Polynesian word for father or ancestor.

Over the centuries the population rose significantly and resulted in a hierarchy of a priestly class system, inclusive of the Artisans and labourers who produced the Moai statues for their ceremonial platform, the ahu.  There was even a warrior class.  Due to the expanding population and the restriction of the physical size of the island, conflicts over land and resources became common-place, and with the arrival of the Europeans in the late 17th century, the population began to decline in numbers.

Warfare between the different clans and classes led to cannibalism and horrific fighting, which resulted in tit-for-tat toppling of the Moai from their ahu, however, as earthquakes and tsunamis have not been uncommon over the centuries, natural disasters cannot be ruled out from a good proportion of the damage.

After the aforementioned War of the Pacific against Bolivia and Peru in 1879-1884, Chile officially claimed and annexed the island in 1888.  By 1897, Rapa Nui was controlled by one single wool company, which due to maintaining the islands only means of economy quickly became the island’s de facto government.  This continued until the middle of the 20th century.

By 1953, the Chilean government took control of the island, continuing the onslaught of slave labour and human rights restrictions.  Military rule remained in place until the mid 1960’s when it was replaced by a civilian government for just under a decade, until, once again, the military coup of 1973 brought direct military control.   Human rights complaints of ineligibility to vote,  unpaid/slave labour,  suppression of the Rap Nui language were common amongst the inhabitants until, in 1967,  a regular commercial air link between Santiago and Tahiti was established,  incorporating Rapa Nui as a refueling stop.  Rapa Nui was now accessible to the world and brought many benefits to the Rapa Nui people, inclusive of basic human rights.

Today,  Rapa Nui is still considered to be part of Valparaiso although it is situated some 3700 km away from the mainland of Chile.  Islanders would prefer autonomy and eventually independence from Valparaiso although they still rely heavily on the economy of Chile.