History of Oceania

When did people live in Easter Island?

People have lived on Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, for over a millennium. The earliest known evidence of human settlement dates back to around 1000 CE. The island's population gradually grew over time, reaching its peak in the 16th century with an estimated population of around 15,000 people. However, the population declined significantly in the following centuries due to various factors such as European diseases, slave raids, and environmental degradation. Today, the island has a population of around 5,800 people, mostly of Polynesian descent.