Online Program
Adventures Online: Easter Island & the Mystery and Legacy of Rapa Nui
Program No. 24215RJ
Join unique experts: a native historian, and an archaeologist with field experience as they share firsthand knowledge and rich history.
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Day
1
Orientation, Rapa Nui Origins
Location:
From the comfort of your own home.
Orientation
Orientation and Introductions
As we meet our staff, we will have a brief overview on how to use Zoom, the program’s topic, guidelines, and the daily schedule.
Session 1
Welcome to Rapa Nui
(Field Trip)
An introduction to the island, we will begin to get acquainted with the island and its highlights by exploring iconic places in the village of Hanga Roa. We’ll learn about what the Rapa Nui people called “Te Pito O Te Henua,” roughly translated as “Navel of the World.” Covering only 66 square miles, this is the most remote island on earth, 2,000 miles from Tahiti and 2,500 miles from Chile. Rapa Nui National Park is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. From the UNESCO inscription: “Rapa Nui, the indigenous name of Easter Island, bears witness to a unique cultural phenomenon. A society of Polynesian origin that settled there c. A.D. 300 established a powerful, imaginative and original tradition of monumental sculpture and architecture, free from any external influence. From the 10th to the 16th century this society built shrines and erected enormous stone figures known as moai, which created an unrivalled cultural landscape that continues to fascinate people throughout the world.”
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Break
Break
Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.
Session 2
Origins & First Settlers
(Lecture)
We will trace the origins of the first settlers arriving from Polynesia and explore the oral traditions and facts that explain the arrival of the first settlers.
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Break
Break
Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.
Session 3
Let's Talk About - History
Facilitated Discussion with expert historian. Lets Talk About - Americans & Easter Island, William Malloy, Symbols /Tatoo, Kava Kava.
Wrap-up
Daily Wrap-up
We will end with a review of the topics we have discussed today and a preview of what’s ahead for tomorrow.
End of Day
Today's session will end.
Day
2
Megalithic Culture
Location:
From the comfort of your own home.
Session 1
Welcome
Greet everyone and review the day's schedule.
Ahu & Moai
(Lecture)
The emergence of a megalithic culture. Our lecture with noted archeologist will focus on the culture of the famous statues of the island, how they were made, their meanings. We will also learn about the AHUs, the ceremonial platforms for the statues.
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Break
Break
Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.
Session 2
Megalithic Culture
(Field Trip)
We will explore iconic sites on the island related to the worship of the statues, the place where they were built (Ranu Raraku), an ancient village (Akahanga) and iconic ahus such as Tongariki and Nau nau.
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Break
Break
Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.
Session 3
Lets Talk About - Archaeology
Facilitated Discussion with expert archeologist. Let’s Talk About - How they moved the statues, the Mystery of Rongo Rongo Tablets, the collapse of the Statues & Ahus worship.
Wrap-up
Daily Wrap-up
We will end with a review of the topics we have discussed today and a preview of what’s ahead for tomorrow.
End of Day
Today's session will end.
Day
3
Modern Era
Location:
From the comfort of your own home.
Session 1
Welcome
Greet everyone and review the day's schedule.
Contact with the Western World
(Lecture)
We will learn about the contact the island has had with the Western World since 1722. We will learn about the dramatic slavery raids and epidemic diseases in 1862, the annexation to Chile in 1888, the lease to a British sheep company, the new deal since 1966 with Chile and the Easter Island Law.
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Break
Break
Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.
Session 2
Orongo
(Field Trip)
We will explore the famous Orongo village, where we will learn about the “Birdman ceremony” and its implication in the new world of worship the bird MANUTARA. With views of the Ranu Kau volcano, we will visit the visitor center and end enjoying the petroglyphs dedicated to the bird.
Q&A
We will have time for questions with program staff.
Break
Break
Take some time to stretch, relax, and prepare for our next lesson.
Session 3
Let’s Talk About - Culture
Facilitated Discussion with a local expert. Let’s Talk About - Tapaty festival, women’s role in the Rapa Nui society, daily life on the island, impact of tourism.
Wrap-up
Program Wrap-up
We will recap what we’ve learned over the past few days and say farewell. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Program Conclusion
This concludes our program.