PreRapaNui

PreRapaNui refers to the pre-colonial societies that inhabited Easter Island (Rapa Nui) before the arrival of the Polynesians. The earliest known inhabitants of the island are believed to have arrived around 300-400 AD, possibly from the Marquesas Islands. These early settlers are often referred to as the "pre-Rapa Nui" people. They are thought to have established a simple, subsistence-based society, primarily engaged in agriculture, fishing, and the collection of shellfish.

The pre-Rapa Nui people are believed to have lived in small, scattered settlements, rather than the large, centralized villages that characterized the later Rapa Nui society. Their culture and technology were relatively simple, with tools and artifacts made from local materials such as wood, stone, and bone. They are thought to have had a basic understanding of astronomy, as evidenced by the presence of stone moai (statues) and other astronomical markers on the island.

The pre-Rapa Nui people are believed to have been replaced or assimilated by the later Rapa Nui people, who arrived on the island around 1200-1300 AD. The exact nature of this transition is not well understood, but it is thought to have involved a combination of cultural exchange, migration, and possibly conflict.

The pre-Rapa Nui people have left behind a number of archaeological sites, including stone tools, pottery, and other artifacts. These sites provide valuable insights into the lives and cultures of the island's earliest inhabitants. However, due to the limited number of artifacts and the lack of written records, much about the pre-Rapa Nui people remains speculative.