2024 study sequenced 15 ancient Rapa Nui genomes—no population collapse before European arrival. ~10% ancestry from South American Native Americans, contact ~1250–1430.
2024 ancient DNA study shows Easter Island population grew steadily until European contact
ChileBioarchaeologyNew Research
Site mentioned
Key facts
- In 2024, researchers sequenced the full genomes of 15 ancient Rapa Nui individuals
- The DNA showed no genetic bottleneck or population crash before European arrival
- Population grew slowly and steadily from first settlement until European contact
- Around 10% of Rapa Nui ancestry traces to Native Americans in South America
- South American contact occurred roughly between 1250 and 1430 AD
- The toppling of moai statues occurred mostly in the late 1700s to 1800s, after European arrival
- No defensive fortifications or war-injury skeletons have been found dating to pre-contact period
Sources
pbs.org
Linked in video description
nationalgeographic.com
Linked in video description
eisp.org
Linked in video description
penguin.co.uk
Linked in video description
Was this story useful?
Keep exploring
Every site on this page sits on the globe, and the people who research them are on the Discord.
3D Globe · Sites by country · Story Archive · Research Library · Weekly Journal · Search
AI-generated text · images from the original sources · always verify with the sources.