Description

Expedition Summary
Explore one of the most remote islands on Earth to help Earthwatch uncover the consequences of environmental degradation.

Expedition Details
You'll work in a uniquely beautiful landscape amid the warm sea breezes on the islands western and northern coasts, searching for prehistoric gardens, livestock enclosures, and agricultural fields. Under the gaze of the giant stone moai, you'll conduct surface surveys, take photographs and GPS coordinates, measure stone features and clear grass, and dig test-pits in gardens to document the evolution of farming on the island. The artifacts you find will throw light on the lives of Rapa Nuis original inhabitants, their culture, and its ultimate fate in the face of harsh environmental conditions and European disruptions.

You'll help conduct controlled cultivation experiments, including planting, registering and weighing plant growth, and photography work, to evaluate how effective the prehistoric lithic mulching system was in feeding the inhabitants of the island and to explore the implications this might have had for the cultural development of the prehistoric Polynesian society on Rapa Nui. You'll also help prepare soil to better sustain varieties of the indigenous plants of Rapa Nui, helping crate a botanical reserve for plants at risk. Finally, you'll have opportunities to participate in reforesting critically eroded areas of the island.

In your recreational time, wander in awe over whats been called "one giant archaeological site," with nearby petroglyphs, caves, and ceremonial centers to capture your imagination.

Meals and Accommodations
You'll stay in cosy double rooms in a residencia, or small family hotel, in "downtown" Hanga Roa, the only town on Easter Island (Rapa Nui). The house has a fine common room, dining room, garden, and conventional bathroom facilities, but electricity, propane, and water are expensive--so expect to conserve. You'll enjoy creative island cuisine, including fresh fruits and seafood, prepared by the house cook, but bring your favorite small trail or field foods and some to share as such foods can be great for the field and hard to obtain on site.

About the Research Area
Easter Island (Rapa Nui) or Isla de Pascua in Spanish is a special territory of Chile, and is located 3,702 kilometres (2,300 miles) west of Santiago. The island is triangular in shape and is composed of three volcanoes: Mt. Terevaka, Rano Kau, and Poike. Together they form a landmass of about 105 square kilometers (65 square miles). The research area for this study consists of the upland region, Vaitea, and the surrounding terrain located on the islands central volcano. The region is now sparsely covered with vegetation.

Prehistoric field systems are located on the slopes of the volcano and positioned around basalt outcrops and within protective swales and valleys. The agricultural fields, which are covered by a light to moderately dense grass, are readily identifiable by the surface concentrations of rock and small boulders. Domestic sites, represented by small stone arrangements, are located between the gardens.

Many points of interest are within a short walk of the project site, including caves, petroglyphs, reconstructed and unreconstructed ceremonial centers, and a small town with restaurants and shops.

Rapa Nuis archaeological record is impressive on both large and small scales, and much of its human history is steeped in tragedy. The coastal temples (ahu) and the statue (moai) quarries are large, impressive and unforgettable. The archaeology of the domestic sphere of life is also rich in detail. With a little experience, what first appear to you as random clusters of un-worked stone will soon become recognizable as important features from the past.

Highlights

The massive stone sculptures (or moai) that dot this remote Polynesian island have perplexed centuries of explorers. Usually facing the vast, open ocean, the statues offer mute testimony to a nearly vanished civilization. These famous giant heads are not the entire story of Rapa Nui, however. Come probe the past to discover what forces led to disastrous changes here in the 17th century, ending a millennium of peace and prosperity that had been secured through innovative farming techniques.

Easter Island has suffered from heavy soil erosion in recent centuries, making agriculture difficult. Traditionally, inhabitants mitigated this problem with an efficient agricultural system based on rock gardens. In modern times, however, erosion has accelerated as these previously success technologies have been all but forgotten and completely abandoned.

On this expedition, you'll help researchers examine the role of prehistoric rock mulching and rock placement in Rapa Nui gardens and agricultural systems as ways of creating a sustainable agricultural system. You'll also help conduct experiments assessing whether and how this prehistorical technology could be re-introduced on the island today.

The modern Rapanui community has a history of more than a century of expansive agriculture conducted in the western mode, where the first aim is to clear the land of stones. This system has been part of the destruction of many archaeological remains, and has helped increase erosion and depletion soil moisture. In an environment like Easter Island's, rock gardens have been, and may well be again, a much more productive and sustainable agricultural approach than modern plow farming, urbanization, and road- building.

Qualifications

No experience is necessary  all you will need is enthusiasm and the desire to make a difference. For over 40 years Earthwatch Institute has pioneered the involvement of ordinary people in peer-reviewed scientific research worldwide. By joining an Earthwatch Expedition, you have a unique opportunity to get up-close and personal with some of the worlds rarest animals and visit remote and beautiful locations, while directly supporting conservation science. We offer life enhancing experiences in nearly 50 countries each year, with projects for teens, adults, and families.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

4,395 USD

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Our volunteers not only contribute essential funds that help to cover the cost of the research, but also, through their inspiration and effort, they provide the people power without which many of our vital projects simply couldnt take place. We are a non-profit organization but accommodation, meals, insurance, training and transport in the field are also included in your contribution cost. As a non-profit organization that supports scientific research, your contribution and airfare costs are usually tax-deductible for U.S. citizens.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Earthwatch expeditions appeal to a variety of people, including students, retirees, families, educators, and anyone seeking an exciting journey that enables them to give back to the environment. Our expeditions have a wide range of activity levels, from hiking intensive to easy expeditions with limited physical activity. There is an Earthwatch expedition out there for everyone!

Age Range

Adult (age 18-90) teams available.

This Program is open to

Worldwide, American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi and South African Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 2-8

Application Process Involves

• Other

Typically The Application Process Time is

Brief

Earthwatch Institute's Mission Statement

Our mission is to inspire connections between people and the environment by engaging them in worldwide scientific field research and education. These efforts will promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Earthwatch enables scientists to pursue research goals and members of the public to gain hands-on experience with science. We believe it is essential that people participate in solving the environmental challenges we face.

Year Founded

1971