Final answer:
The original settlers of Rapa Nui were Polynesians who arrived in the 7th century CE and created the moai, massive stone sculptures. Their culture experienced a decline due to resource exploitation and external invasions, which led to significant changes and eventual collapse.
Step-by-step explanation:
The original settlers of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) were Polynesians who are believed to have arrived on the island around the 7th century CE. These settlers crossed the vast Pacific Ocean in dugout canoes to reach the most remote island in the world, which was then a heavily forested land with ample resources. The Rapa Nui people are renowned for their creation of the moai, massive stone sculptures that are considered a profound cultural achievement similar to other ancient constructions like Stonehenge in England.
The moai are monolithic figures carved from volcanic rock and are distinguished by their minimalist style, consisting of large heads and delicate features. Weighing an average of 14 tons, these structures have long fascinated archaeologists and have even led to studies relying on Rapanui oral tradition to understand how they were transported across the island. Over time, however, the exploitation of natural resources led to deforestation, which coupled with European and South American invasions, diseases, and competition for resources, caused the culture of Rapa Nui to change and collapse.