Integrated task 1

The lecture and the reading both are about the construction of Moai in the Eastern Island, which is one of
the historical sites to see in that part of the world. The author of the reading believes that the construction
of Moai was one of the main reasons for the decline and collapse of the islands culture. The lecturer casts
doubts on the claims made in the article. He says that recent researches have shown that the construction
of Moai in itself was not the reason for the fall of civilization.

First of all, the author states that large amount of forests were destroyed for the construction process, as
they were used to make the tracks. It is mentioned that about eighty tons of the trees were cut down
during the period leading to misuse of the natural resources. This point is challenged by the lecturer. She
says that this is absolutely not true as the tracks were made using the ropes fastened and were used for
walking in the narrow spaces. Furthermore, she argues that no trees were required during this process.

In addition, the author contends that process for building Moai resulted complete deforestation of the
area. The article notes that this brought various disastrous effects, one of them being decrease in the
amount of migratory birds, which were the main food sources for the native people. The lecturer rebuts
this argument. He mentions that the main reason for lack of trees in the area were the rats that the first
explorers had brought along with them. The rats destroyed all the palm trees in the area which eventually
lead to the deforestation. She elaborates this same being the reason for the lack of food resources.

Finally, the author points out that the Maoi was built in the expense of population decline in that area.
The article establishes the point that the population had gone down from twenty thousand to two
thousand. The lecturer on the other hand posits that the time estimated for the population itself was
incorrect. He puts forth the idea that researches have shown the time to be around twelve hundred ad
and two thousand might have been the largest population of the island ever to be recorded.

In conclusion, the lecturer effectively casts doubt on all of the claims and theories regarding construction
of Moai presented in the reading.