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But under the conditions of warfare, weapons are going to have performance characteristics. And they're going to be very carefully fashioned for that purpose because it matters... You would cut somebody [ with a mata'a ], but they certainly wouldn't be lethal in any way. Related : Ancient Roman brooch contains' lovely' palindrome Some scientists have estimated, that, at its height, Easter Island’s population may have been as high as 20,000, but fell over centuries after the island’s trees and palms were cut down to build canoes and transport its famous giant statues. One theory suggests that the deforestation led to soil erosion, impacting the island’s ability to support wildlife and farming, and the collapse of its civilization. When the Dutch arrived at the island in 1722, its population was 3,000 or less. Only 111 inhabitants were living on Easter Island by 1877. Other experts, however, have questioned whether Easter Island ever supported a large population, citing instead the arrival of Europeans, who brought diseases and took islanders away as slaves. Related : Ancient 4,500-year-old boat discovered in Egypt What people traditionally think about Easter Island is being this island of catastrophe and collapse just isn't true in a pre-historic sense, populations were successful and lived sustainably on Easter Island up until European contact.