History of Easter Island in Timeline

Easter Island, a Chilean territory in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, is famous for its nearly 1,000 moai statues created by the Rapa Nui people. These monumental sculptures are the island's defining characteristic and a major draw for tourists and researchers alike. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, much of the island is protected as Rapa Nui National Park, preserving its cultural and natural heritage. Easter Island is the only Polynesian territory with Spanish as an official language, reflecting its colonial history and current status as a special territory of Chile.

1903: Island bought by Williamson Balfor

In 1903, Easter Island was purchased by the English sheep-farming company Williamson Balfor from the Merlet company, which forced the natives to work on ranches in order to buy food.

1912: Phrase about the island's name

In 1912, William Churchill inquired about the phrase "Te pito o te henua" and was told that there were three "te pito o te henua", these being the three capes (land's ends) of the island.

1914: Uprising of the natives

In 1914, there was an uprising of the natives on Easter Island inspired by María Angata Veri Veri and led by Daniel Maria Teave, aiming to get the State to take charge of the situation generated by the Williamson Balfor company.

1914: Collecting the island's traditions

Katherine Routledge systematically collected the island's traditions in her 1914/15 expedition, showing that the competitions for Bird Man (Rapa Nui: tangata manu) started around 1760, after the arrival of the first Europeans, and ended in 1878.

1916: Island declared subdelegation

In 1916, Easter Island was declared a subdelegation of the Department of Valparaíso. Also in 1916, Archbishop Rafael Edwards Salas visited the island and became a spokesman for the natives' complaints.

1926: Lands distribution to natives

As of 1926, additional lands (5 ha per marriage) were distributed to the natives of Easter Island.

1933: 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 individuals attempting to register it under their own names.

1936: Regulations for natives in Hanga Roa

In 1936, a regulation was established according to which, with prior permission, the natives could leave Hanga Roa to fish or provide themselves with fuel.

1953: Contract cancelled

In 1953, President Carlos Ibáñez del Campo cancelled the Williamson-Balfour Company's contract for non-compliance and assigned the island's administration to the Chilean Navy.

1965: United States Air Force (USAF) settled on Easter Island

Between 1965 and 1970, the United States Air Force (USAF) settled on Easter Island, influencing the Rapa Nui people with the customs of consumer societies.

1965: Construction of Mataveri International Airport

Construction of the Mataveri International Airport on Easter Island was completed in 1965, by the Longhi construction company.

1966: Island reopened and Pascua Law enacted

In 1966, Easter Island was reopened entirely, and the Rapanui were granted Chilean citizenship through the Pascua Law enacted during Eduardo Frei Montalva's government. This law also established the Isla de Pascua commune and implemented various administrative and infrastructural changes.

1966: Rapa Nui granted Chilean citizenship

In 1966, the Rapa Nui people were granted Chilean citizenship, marking a significant change in their political status.

April 1967: LAN Chile flights began to land

In April 1967, LAN Chile flights began to land on Easter Island, initiating the island's shift towards cultural tourism.

1970: United States Air Force (USAF) on Easter Island

Between 1965 and 1970, the United States Air Force (USAF) settled on Easter Island, influencing the Rapa Nui people with the customs of consumer societies.

1973: Martial Law after Chilean coup

Following the 1973 Chilean coup d'état that brought Augusto Pinochet to power, Easter Island was placed under martial law, which led to a slowdown in tourism and the restoration of private property.

1974: Oral tradition about the island's name

According to Barthel in 1974, oral tradition states that the island was initially named "Te pito o te kainga a Hau Maka," meaning "The little piece of land of Hau Maka."

January 24, 1975: Arrival of television on the island

On January 24, 1975, television arrived on Easter Island with the inauguration of a station of Televisión Nacional de Chile, initially broadcasting programming on a delayed basis.

1975: NASA tracking station ceased operations

In 1975, the NASA tracking station operating on Easter Island ceased operations.

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: First governor appointed

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 on Easter Island to grant individual land titles to regular holders.

1984: Administration of Governor Sergio Rapu Haoa

Between 1984 and 1990 the administration of Governor Sergio Rapu Haoa stands out, since then all the governors have been Rapanui.

1990: All the governors have been Rapanui

Between 1984 and 1990 the administration of Governor Sergio Rapu Haoa stands out, since then all the governors have been Rapanui.

1994: Study asserts archaeological evidence

In 1994, a study headed by Douglas Owsley asserted that there is little archaeological evidence of pre-European societal collapse on Easter Island, challenging the ecocide hypothesis.

1995: UNESCO named Easter Island a World Heritage Site

In 1995, UNESCO designated Easter Island as a World Heritage Site, recognizing its cultural and historical significance. A significant portion of the island was placed under protection as part of Rapa Nui National Park.

1996: Live satellite transmissions

In 1996, live satellite transmissions to Easter Island began, replacing the delayed broadcast programming of Televisión Nacional de Chile.

1999: Polynesian boats were able to reach Easter Island

In 1999, a voyage with reconstructed Polynesian boats successfully reached Easter Island from Mangareva after a seventeen-and-a-half-day voyage, demonstrating the feasibility of ancient Polynesian navigation.

2007: Easter Island gains status of 'special territory'

In 2007, Easter Island was granted the constitutional status of a 'special territory' within Chile, acknowledging its unique characteristics and needs.

2007: Study suggests earlier arrival date

In 2007, a study presented evidence that the initial Polynesian inhabitants of Easter Island likely arrived around 1200, which is later than the previously believed estimate of around 800.

2010: Metastudy on the state of evidence

In a 2010 metastudy on the state of the evidence, the Mulrooney et al. concludes that "To date, there is no conclusive evidence for the proposed precontact collapse of Rapa Nui society".

2013: Nearest inhabited land

In 2013, the nearest inhabited land to Easter Island (around 50 residents) was Pitcairn Island, located 2,075 kilometers (1,289 mi) away.

2017: Chilean census registered population

In 2017, the Chilean census recorded a population of 7,750 people on Easter Island, with 3,512 (45%) identifying as Rapa Nui.

2021: Anthropologists suggest steady population growth

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. The island never had more than a few thousand people prior to European contact, and their numbers were increasing rather than dwindling.

2024: Study finds no genetic evidence of the ecocide hypothesis

A study published in 2024 finds no genetic evidence of the ecocide hypothesis on Easter Island, challenging previous theories of societal collapse due to environmental destruction.

2025: Study using hydrogen isotope analysis of sediment cores

In 2025, a study using hydrogen isotope analysis of sediment cores from Rano Aroi and Rano Kao identified a prolonged megadrought beginning around 1550 CE on Easter Island.