The Mysteries of Easter Island: What happened to the people of Easter Island?

1. The mysteries of Easter Island What happened to the people of Easter Island? Easter Island is 2000 miles (3200 kilometres) from the nearest land The Island is 8 miles wide x 8 miles long. (13kmx13km) The Island was a tropical paradise - until humans arrived The population of the Island grew to 10,000 Fantastic statues had been carved by people These statues are standing up to 6 miles away from where they were carved. These people must have been clever, talented and organised Great technical knowledge would have been needed to move the statues. An explorer arrived in 1722 and found people fighting and starving. Year 8 Unit 2 Classwork/Homework: Date issued: ………......…. Name……………………………...…… Target grade/level I scored last time What I am aiming for this time

2. 3. No trees could be found on the Island in 1722. 2. Before the first people arrived the island was covered in tropical forest 1. For many years tree roots helped the soil to stay together and not be eroded 4. The first boats used by the early people were made from wood and reeds 6. The volcanic soil was at first very fertile (good for growing food) 5. For many years trees and their leaves protected the soil from erosion by rain and water 7. When food becomes scarce – people try to move to other places to find more food. 8. Only 2000 - 3000 people were living the island when Admiral Roggeveen landed in 1722. 9. Before 1722 there were 10,000 people living on the Island 10. Later on, there might not be enough land for everyone 11. Roggeveen found a group of people living very basic lives in caves and huts 12. The first houses were made from wood and palm leaves 13. In 1722 Admiral Roggeveen found that many statues had been damaged 14. The first people to land there 1600 years ago - 400AD were experienced sailors 15. It would take at least 100 fit and healthy men to move each a small statue. 16. Some people think the statues were moved by being rolled along something 17. In the remains of fires they found human bones.

3. Task 1 Task 2: Timeline Using the boxes 1- 17 on the opposite page put what you think happened in the right order below. Add extras ideas too!

4. LEVELS Task 3 : Answer these questions on the lined paper provided. 1. What did humans do to Easter Island that altered its natural balance? 2. What could the Islanders have done to live sustainably? Write a simple plan. 3. If one Islander had worked out that it was dangerous to chop down all the trees whatdo you think the other people may have said to this Islander and why would they have said it? • Is what happened on the island similar to what is happening in the ‘global village’ called Earth? Examine your sources carefully. Level 2 (E) You select informationfrom the booklet to answer some of Task 1 You recognise thathumans affected the environment of Easter Island in Task 2 You use geographical words correctly once . Level 3 (D) You select informationfrom the booklet and answer most of Task 1. You simply describe what you think happened to Easter Island in both Task 2 and Task 3 answers You use some geographical words to explain what you mean Level 4 (C) - All of ‘Level 3’ plus: You simply explain how humans altered the natural balance of Easter Island and this could be the answer to the ‘mystery’ - Q1 You produce a simple plan for how the resources on Easter Island could have been used sustainably – Q2 You start to think about the way some people have different attitudes to the environment – Q3 You mention briefly links between Easter Island and what could happen globally – Q4 Level 5 (B) - All of ‘Level 4’ plus: You explain how humans altered the natural balance of Easter Island and this could be the answer to the ‘mystery’. - Q1 Your plan is detailed and looks at ALL the resources available - Q2 You start to explain why some Islanders had different opinions about the environment– Q3 You have compared and given a brief conclusion – Q4 Level 6 (A) – All of ‘Level 5’ plus: You understand that different cultures may have different attitudes to yours – Q3 You show you have researched extra evidence and you used it effectively (all questions) Level 7 (A*) – All of ‘Level 6’ plus: You appreciate we must plan and manage all environments (sustainable development) to make sure the world has a future You evaluate your sources and explain how this affects your conclusions. – Q4 Level 8 (exceptional performance) see PDS Overall level achieved (Student) What went well: Teacher comments (Student) What did not go well: