简介:1.Introduction*SincethefirsttimeEasterIslandwasexplored,scholarshavebeenarguingandspeculatingaboutthedateofthenatives’arrival,thenatureandpurposeofthelargerstatues,itsactualnumberofinhabitants,thereasonsfortheprogressivedeforestationoftheisland,etc.Allofthishasreceivedvariousexplanationswhichareconsideredinfluentialfactorsindeterminingsocialandculturalchangesinthelivesoftheislanders(aquestiontobesurveyedinthelastsectionofthisarticle.)However,thelackofsufficientdatamakesitdifficulttoreachtoadefinitiveconclusion;thebestthatwecanhopeforistogivereasonableandtemptativehypotheses.