Part 10/12:

One of the most striking clues to this collapse lies in the scant tree cover that now dominates Easter Island. Initially cloaked in dense forests, the island underwent gradual deforestation, largely attributed to the islanders' reliance on wood for construction, transportation, and cooking. The ecological imbalance that ensued not only diminished agricultural land but also led to barren fields and dwindling resources, inciting conflict among communities.

Radiocarbon dating suggests that statue construction abruptly ceased around 1500 AD, coinciding with the islanders' declining social cohesion and resource capabilities. The social unrest likely stemmed from competition over increasingly scarce resources, leading to inter-community strife—something exacerbated by ecological decline.