National Geographic Easter Island Article

[Jason in Orlando]

An article in the current edition of National Geographic discusses the Rapanui (sp?) people of Easter Island and the conditions that contributed to the collapse of their civilization. Paschalococos disperta is mentioned several times (thought not by name) with regard to the role it played in island life and the role it may have played in the civilization's collapse. By no means is it in depth with regard to Paschalococos, but it is probably worth the fifteen minutes to read none-the-less. Interestingly, the artist's conception of the palms is indeed quite similar to Jubea chilensis.

Jason

[J. australis]

I saw it too and sqealed with delight.

[Harry]

They should try to germinate some of those seeds like they did with those ancient P. dactilifera seeds discovered in an axcavation.

[Justin]

I'm not sure if there are any seeds. It wouldn't surprise me if rats had eaten them all by now. But if there are seeds, that'd be great. Rapa Nui is one of the few places (maybe the only place?) I've seen Jubaea and Cocos right by one another.