Ch6-45

Othosmops on Feb. 13, 2025

(russian):

Panel 1:
BRUNO: It was during this period that the forced production of the renowned Moai, the idolised ancestral effigies, was initiated. Although these statues were already larger than human, they were initially relatively small.
Later they became bigger, but I'll go into that soon.

Panel 2:
BRUNO: According to archaeological findings, this was followed by a massive change in the island's economy. While people had previously been relatively cautious with the island's forest and other resources, this changed in the 14th century. Large areas of the remaining palm forest were cleared. People switched from using the forests for gathering to intensive agriculture.
the inhabitants had discovered that their island was a rather treacherous place. Due to the lack of steep mountains, wind and weather sweep over the barren areas, so that most crops do not thrive without special measures, and seedlings are carried away. So, arable land was laid out in the form of deep beds and other Neolithic agricultural techniques.

Panel 3:
BRUNO: Above all, the inhabitants did not realize what damage the Pacific rat, which they had brought in, could cause. These animals, which reproduced like rats, ate all the seedlings in the wild - especially those of the palms and trees, so that once a tree had been felled, it had no offspring: What people did not carefully protect was lost.

Panel 4:
BRUNO: In addition, deforestation led to severe erosion damage, so that settlements had to be abandoned. Now people also began to settle the interior of the island and cut down the last remaining forests.
GISELLE:    Ze in’abitants must ‘ave been aware of ze dramatic nature of zeir situation. Didn't zey do anyzing about it?