History of Easter Island in Timeline
Easter Island, a Chilean territory in the southeastern Pacific, is famous for its nearly 1,000 moai statues created by the Rapa Nui people. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, much of the island is protected as Rapa Nui National Park. The moai statues represent ancestors and chiefs, and their construction and transport reflect the Rapa Nui's advanced engineering and societal organization. The island's history includes deforestation, resource depletion, and societal collapse, offering lessons about sustainability and environmental stewardship. Easter Island is a remote and mysterious location drawing tourists and researchers alike.
1903: Island bought by English sheep-farming company
In 1903, Easter Island was bought by the English sheep-farming company Williamson Balfor, forcing the natives to work on ranches in order to buy food.
1912: Churchill inquires about "Te pito o te henua" phrase
In 1912, William Churchill inquired about the phrase "Te pito o te henua" and was told there were three such capes (land's ends) of the island. He was unable to elicit a Polynesian name for the island and concluded that there may not have been one.
1914: Native uprising inspired by María Angata Veri Veri
In 1914, an uprising of the natives was inspired by María Angata Veri Veri and led by Daniel Maria Teave, aiming to have the State address the situation caused by the Williamson Balfor Company.
1914: Indigenous Population Rejects Cannibalism Allegations
In 1914, during the first scientific exploration of Easter Island, the indigenous population strongly rejected allegations that they or their ancestors had been cannibals.
1916: Island declared subdelegation of Valparaíso
In 1916, Easter Island was declared a subdelegation of the Department of Valparaíso.
1919: Katherine Routledge expedition collects traditions
Katherine Routledge's 1919 expedition systematically collected the island's traditions, showing that competitions for Bird Man started around 1760, after the arrival of the first Europeans, and ended in 1878.
1926: Additional lands distributed to natives
As of 1926, additional lands (5 ha per marriage) were distributed to the natives of Easter Island under the "Provisional Temperament" agreement.
1933: State Defense Council requires registration of the island
In 1933, the Chilean State Defense Council required the registration of Easter Island in the name of the State to protect it from private registration.
1936: Regulation established for natives leaving Hanga Roa
In 1936, a regulation was established stating that natives could leave Hanga Roa to fish or gather fuel with prior permission.
1953: Company's contract cancelled and administration assigned
In 1953, President Carlos Ibáñez del Campo cancelled the Williamson-Balfour Company's contract for non-compliance and assigned the entire administration of Easter Island to the Chilean Navy.
1956: Moai Re-Erection on Ahu Ature Huke
In 1956, one of the first re-erections of the statues in modern times happened on Ahu Ature Huke in Anakena beach using traditional methods during a Heyerdahl expedition.
1960: Ahu Akivi Restored
In 1960, Ahu Akivi was restored by William Mulloy.
1965: United States Air Force settles on Easter Island
Between 1965 and 1970, the United States Air Force (USAF) settled on Easter Island, influencing the Rapa Nui way of life.
1965: Construction of Mataveri International Airport
In 1965, the Mataveri International Airport was built on Easter Island by the Longhi construction company.
1966: Island reopened and Rapanui granted Chilean citizenship
In 1966, Easter Island was reopened in its entirety, and the Rapanui were granted Chilean citizenship through the Pascua Law.
1966: Rapa Nui granted Chilean citizenship
In 1966, the Rapa Nui people were granted Chilean citizenship, marking a significant shift in their political status.
1966: Lower sentences for rape, sexual abuse and crimes against property than corresponding offences in mainland Chile.
Since 1966 rape, sexual abuse and crimes against property in Easter Island had lower sentences than corresponding offences in mainland Chile.
April 1967: LAN Chile flights begin
In April 1967, LAN Chile flights began landing on Easter Island, orienting the island towards cultural tourism.
1970: United States Air Force departs Easter Island
Between 1965 and 1970, the United States Air Force (USAF) settled on Easter Island, influencing the Rapa Nui way of life.
1973: Easter Island placed under martial law
Following the 1973 Chilean coup d'état that brought Augusto Pinochet to power, Easter Island was placed under martial law.
1974: Barthel discusses oral tradition of island names
According to Barthel in 1974, oral tradition states that the island was first named "Te pito o te kainga a Hau Maka", meaning "The little piece of land of Hau Maka".
January 24, 1975: Television arrives on the island
On January 24, 1975, television arrived on Easter Island, with the inauguration of a station of Televisión Nacional de Chile.
1975: First Tapati Festival
Since 1975, the Rapanui sponsor an annual festival called Tapati, held around the beginning of February to celebrate Rapa Nui culture.
1976: Isla de Pascua Province created
In 1976 the Isla de Pascua Province was created with Arnt Arentsen Pettersen appointed as the first governor between 1976 and 1979.
1979: Arnt Arentsen Pettersen ceases term as governor
In 1976 the Isla de Pascua Province was created with Arnt Arentsen Pettersen appointed as the first governor between 1976 and 1979.
1979: Decree Law No. 2885 enacted
In 1979, Decree Law No. 2885 was enacted to grant individual land titles to regular holders on Easter Island.
1984: Sergio Rapu Haoa appointed governor
Between 1984 and 1990 the administration of Governor Sergio Rapu Haoa stands out.
1985: Agreement for Airport Runway Extension
In 1985, an agreement between Chile and the United States resulted in the extension of the Mataveri International Airport runway by 423 meters.
April 1, 1986: Law No. 18,502 enacted
On April 1, 1986, Law No. 18,502 was enacted, establishing a special fuel subsidy in Easter Island.
1987: Re-opening of Mataveri International Airport
In 1987, the extended runway at Mataveri International Airport, reaching 3,353 meters, was re-opened. Pinochet reportedly refused to attend the opening ceremony due to pressure from the United States regarding human rights issues.
1990: End of Sergio Rapu Haoa's governorship
Between 1984 and 1990 the administration of Governor Sergio Rapu Haoa stands out and since then all the governors have been Rapanui.
1994: Study asserts little evidence of pre-European societal collapse
In 1994, a study headed by Douglas Owsley asserted that there is little archaeological evidence of pre-European societal collapse on Easter Island, suggesting that few fatalities can be attributed directly to violence.
1995: UNESCO names Easter Island a World Heritage Site
In 1995, UNESCO designated Easter Island as a World Heritage Site, recognizing its cultural significance. Much of the island is protected within Rapa Nui National Park.
1996: Live satellite transmissions begin
In 1996, live satellite transmissions to Easter Island began, ending the delayed broadcasting of television programming.
1999: Voyage reaches Easter Island from Mangareva
In 1999, a voyage with reconstructed Polynesian boats was able to reach Easter Island from Mangareva after a seventeen-and-a-half-day voyage, supporting the theory of Polynesian migration routes.
2000: Decline of Tuna
Around the year 2000, fishers of Rapa Nui started experiencing a decline in tuna populations due to illegal fishing activities.
2002: Population census results
In 2002, 60% of the population were persons of indigenous Rapa Nui origin
July 2007: Constitutional Reform Grants "Special Territory" Status
In July 2007, a constitutional reform granted Easter Island the status of a "special territory" of Chile.
2007: "Special Territory" Status Granted
Easter Island shares with Juan Fernández Islands the constitutional status of "special territory" of Chile, granted in 2007.
2007: Easter Island gains "special territory" status
In 2007, Easter Island was granted the constitutional status of "special territory" within Chile, acknowledging its unique cultural and administrative position.
2007: Study suggests earlier arrival of Polynesians
In 2007, a study provided compelling evidence suggesting the arrival of Polynesian inhabitants to Easter Island was closer to 1200 AD, differing from the previously cited year of 800 AD.
August 2010: Hitorangi Clan Occupies Hangaroa Eco Village and Spa
In August 2010, members of the indigenous Hitorangi clan occupied the Hangaroa Eco Village and Spa, alleging that the hotel was bought from the Pinochet government illegally.
December 2010: Police Attempt to Evict Rapa Nui Occupiers
On December 3, 2010, Chilean police attempted to evict a group of Rapa Nui from buildings they had claimed were illegally taken from their ancestors, resulting in injuries.
2010: Metastudy concludes no conclusive evidence for precontact collapse
In a 2010 metastudy, Mulrooney et al. concluded that "To date, there is no conclusive evidence for the proposed precontact collapse of Rapa Nui society".
January 2011: UN Special Rapporteur Expresses Concern
In January 2011, the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous People, James Anaya, expressed concern about the treatment of the indigenous Rapa Nui by the Chilean government.
February 2011: Police Remove Final Occupiers from Hotel
In February 2011, up to 50 armed police broke into the hotel to remove the final five occupiers, who were then arrested.
2011: Discussion of Special Charter
As of 2011 a special charter for the island was under discussion in the Chilean Congress.
2011: Excavation of Moai Statue and Petroglyphs
In 2011, a large moai statue was excavated from the ground, and some larger moai were found to have complex dorsal petroglyphs.
2012: Population Census Results
The 2012 census recorded the Easter Island population at 5,761.
2013: Pitcairn Island population count
In 2013, the nearest inhabited land to Easter Island, Pitcairn Island, had around 50 residents.
2017: Chilean census records population of Easter Island
The 2017 Chilean census recorded 7,750 people on Easter Island, with 3,512 (45%) identifying as Rapa Nui.
August 2018: Law Limiting Non-Resident Stays Takes Effect
In August 2018, a law took effect prohibiting non-residents from staying on the island for more than 30 days.
2018: Tourist Stay Period Limited
In 2018, the government limited the stay period for tourists from 90 to 30 days to preserve the island's historical importance.
March 17, 2020: Easter Island Closed to Tourists Due to COVID-19
On March 17, 2020, Easter Island was closed to tourists due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Truck Crash Destroys Moai Statue
In 2020, a pickup truck crashed into and destroyed a moai statue due to brake failure. No one was injured in the incident.
2020: Property rights transferred to the Hitorangi clan
In 2020, the conflict was settled. The property rights were transferred to the Hitorangi clan while the owners retained the exploitation of the hotel for 15 years.
2021: Research suggests steady population growth until European contact
Research by Binghamton University anthropologists Robert DiNapoli and Carl Lipo in 2021 suggests that Easter Island experienced steady population growth from its initial settlement until European contact in 1722.
2021: Decree was repealled
Since 1966 rape, sexual abuse and crimes against property in Easter Island had lower sentences than corresponding offences in mainland Chile. This law was repealled in 2021 by a Constitutional Court decree.
August 4, 2022: Easter Island Reopened to Tourists
On August 4, 2022, Easter Island reopened to tourists after being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 2022: Forest Fire Damages Moai
In October 2022, a forest fire burned nearly 148 acres (60 hectares) of the island, causing irreparable damage to some of the moai.
