News Archaeology

Easter Island people used sharpened stones as tools, not weapons

Obsidian artifacts challenge notion that warfare led to collapse of Rapa Nui civilization

obsidian tools

SPEAR NOT  A new analysis of obsidian artifacts from Easter Island indicates that these finds served as tools for planting and other daily activities. Some researchers have portrayed these implements as spearpoints that were used by warring island groups before Europeans arrived in the 1700s.

C. Lipo and Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum, Rapa Nui

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

Sharpened stones previously viewed as spear points wielded by warring Easter Islanders actually served as general-purpose tools, researchers say.