http://www.santiagotimes.cl/santiagotimes/index.php/2009070616624/news/cultural-news/experts-discover-six-kilometers-of-caves-in-easter-island.html
[Ceiling painting @ Ana Kai Tangata. Photo by stevesheriw]
A team of experts recently discovered a six-kilometer-long lava cave system on Easter Island thought to have been used as a refuge by the island’s inhabitants during the 16th century. The team confirmed it is the largest cave on the island and the 11th-largest in the world in terms of area.
[...]
Cave experts, or speleologists, confirmed the caves were used by inhabitants of the island as refuge from tribal wars at a time when society was on the verge of collapse as a result of infighting, severe environmental degradation caused by deforestation, droughts, and famine.
[...]
“It has been a revelation,” said Enrique Tucki, administrator of the Rapa Nui National Park. “We knew these caves existed – they have been there for centuries – but we had not taken into account their variety, quantity, and peculiarity.”
Read more...[...]
Cave experts, or speleologists, confirmed the caves were used by inhabitants of the island as refuge from tribal wars at a time when society was on the verge of collapse as a result of infighting, severe environmental degradation caused by deforestation, droughts, and famine.
[...]
“It has been a revelation,” said Enrique Tucki, administrator of the Rapa Nui National Park. “We knew these caves existed – they have been there for centuries – but we had not taken into account their variety, quantity, and peculiarity.”
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uFTsqmEPD_pcosn2qiZdT8tCieA22nAPfV_TjWFabonyuWc8k8QUocUA-TBn7pYdbTuOUmmn2TKlGYrTtRGeu4mfD9nJcniJcErq4dFWjWti8MKtbVvmLJIe8h1kSZyMMWOSL0niKIKVLPL5kUufRl=s0-d)
