This paper relates to the study of the health and diet of ancient Easter Islanders. It is based on human skeletons discovered between 1934 and 2009. We have studied skeletal markers that revealed poor living conditions during growth (stress indicators) and recorded the presence of infectious diseases. The dietary reconstitution is based on dental microwear and the analysis of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes. Our study indicates relatively good health and food conditions during childhood. However, we have found cases of infectious diseases that probably followed contact with Europeans or Americans. The dental microwear pattern is due to the dominant part of the tubers. The stable isotopes show that, on average, a little more than one third of their dietary proteins came from the sea.

Peer Review, RBINS Collection(s)