纪录片《南太平洋》 第01期 大洋小岛（25）（在线收听）

Back then, its hills were cloaked with a forest of giant palms.

那时整个岛屿被巨大的棕榈林所覆盖

It was also home to one of the largest seabird colonies in the South Pacific.

这里也曾是南太平洋最大的海鸟栖息地

Initially, life must have been easy for the Easter Islanders,the Rapa Nui.

最初复活节岛民，也就是拉帕努伊人的生活十分安逸

And with time on their hands,

随着生产力的发展

they set to work carving huge stone statues known as moai.

他们开始雕刻所谓摩艾的巨人石像

Before long, each clan was trying to carve larger,

从那以后，每一个部落都想雕出

grander figures than those of their neighbours competition that was to be their undoing.

岛上最大最壮观的石像，这成为他们覆灭的根源

Vast quantities of wood were used to transport the stone statues,

大量的木材被用来运输石像

and slowly but surely, the Rapa Nui used up their island's precious resources.

他们逐渐耗尽了岛上宝贵的资源

Eventually, their civilisation descended into chaos and warfare.

最后岛内文明也陷入了战乱之中

Clan fought against clan, with disastrous consequences.

部落间的对抗导致了灾难性的后果

By the time of their ultimate collapse, the Rapa Nui had changed their island beyond recognition.

拉帕努伊人最终灭亡时，复活节岛已经面目全非