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Archaeology * * * --------------------------------------------------------------------- July 7, 2025 The GIST Radiocarbon dating reveals Rapa Nui not as isolated as previously thought by Antiquity edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Robert Egan [llock] Lisa Lock scientific editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process [Robert] Robert Egan associate editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread Rapa Nui not as isolated as expected Marae with ahu (a central stone platform) on Mo'orea, Windward. Credit: Antiquity Archaeologists have analyzed ritual spaces and monumental structures across Polynesia, questioning the idea that Rapa Nui (Easter Island) developed in isolation following its initial settlement. The first people in Polynesia settled the islands from west to east, rapidly expanding from Tonga and Samoa across the sea to central East Polynesia and from there to distant lands such as Hawai'i, Rapa Nui and Aotearoa/New Zealand. After this initial colonization, it was thought that the islands of East Polynesia, particularly the remote Rapa Nui, remained isolated from the wider Pacific world. However, despite their remoteness, similar ritual practices and monumental structures have been observed in East Polynesia. One such example is the construction of marae. These rectangular clearings were communal ritual spaces that, in some places, remain sacred to this day. However, they changed over time on different islands: on Rapa Nui, the famous moai sculptures were constructed and placed on the ritual temple platforms within marae. To re-assess how ritual expression spread and developed throughout the region, Professors Paul Wallin and Helene Martinsson-Wallin from Uppsala University compared archaeological data and radiocarbon dates from settlements, ritual spaces and monuments across East Polynesia. Their results are published in the journal Antiquity. "The migration process from West Polynesian core areas such as Tonga and Samoa to East Polynesia is not disputed here," say the authors. "Still, the static west-to-east colonization and dispersal suggested for East Polynesia and the idea that Rapa Nui was only colonized once in the past and developed in isolation is challenged." Rapa Nui not as isolated as expected Early ritual structure with pavement and platform at Ahu Nau Nau, Anakena, on Rapa Nui. Above it is the rebuilt elaborated ahu with moai statues. Credit: A. Skjolsvold, Antiquity The authors identified three separate phases of ritual activity in East Polynesia. The first reflects the west-to-east expansion, during which ritual activity was focused on actions such as burials and feasting. These sites were indicated by stone uprights. These activities were formed through continuous contact within interaction networks. [INS::INS] The second phase saw the clearer materialization of ritual through the construction of marae. Radiocarbon dates suggest that this idea to make ritual places more visible originated on Rapa Nui, then spread west back into central East Polynesia through existing exchange networks. Finally, the third phase was defined by increased isolation, leading to internal changes. As hierarchical social structures developed independently in Rapa Nui, Tahiti, Hawai'i etc., large, monumental structures were built to display power. "The most important finding is that, based on C-14 dating, we can observe an initial west-to-east spread of ritual ideas," states Professor Wallin. "However, the complex, unified ritual spaces (known as marae) show earlier dates in the east." Overall, while the findings do not question the idea that Polynesia was peopled from west to east, they do show how subsequent ritual developments were much more complex than previously thought. This indicates interaction networks between islands were robust and, importantly, new ideas were also transferred from east to west. "This paper challenges commonly accepted ideas about the movement and development of ritual temple sites in East Polynesia," concludes Professor Wallin. "The findings suggest a more complex pattern than previously thought. Initially, it has been shown that ritual ideas spread from west to east. Later, more elaborate temple structures developed on Easter Island, which then influenced other parts of East Polynesia in an east-to-west movement." More information: From ritual spaces to monumental expressions: rethinking East Polynesian ritual practices, Antiquity (2025). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2025.10096 Journal information: Antiquity Provided by Antiquity Citation: Radiocarbon dating reveals Rapa Nui not as isolated as previously thought (2025, July 7) retrieved 10 July 2025 from https:/ /phys.org/news/2025-06-radiocarbon-dating-reveals-rapa-nui.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. 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Maybe. But he also knew his medicine, scholars find Jul 9, 2025 [gif] Large-scale DNA study maps 37,000 years of disease history Jul 9, 2025 Load comments (0) Get Instant Summarized Text (Gist) Radiocarbon dating and archaeological analysis indicate that Rapa Nui was not entirely isolated after initial settlement. Ritual practices and monumental structures, such as marae, show evidence of interaction and idea exchange across East Polynesia, including east-to-west transfers. This challenges the view of Rapa Nui's cultural development as solely isolated and unidirectional. This summary was automatically generated using LLM. Full disclaimer Let us know if there is a problem with our content Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines). 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