纪录片《南太平洋》 第144期 奇异岛屿（20）（在线收听）

It's difficult to believe that an advanced culture capable of carving and erecting these monoliths grew up in such a barren landscape.

难以相信一个成长在如此贫瘠景致里的先进文明能够雕刻和竖立这些巨石

The truth is, it didn't.

事实是 它不是

When those first colonisers discovered Easter Island, this was a paradise.

首批开拓者发现复活节岛时 这里是天堂

These empty cliffs were once home to the largest seabird colonies in the South Pacific.

这些空寂的峭壁曾是南太平洋中最大的海鸟群栖息地

Rich volcanic soils nourished a forest of giant palms that was home to many unique species,

肥沃的火山灰土滋养着巨大的棕榈林 也是许多珍稀物种的发源地

including Easter Island versions of herons, parrots, rails and owls.

包括复活节岛鹭 鹦鹉 秧鸡 鸮

Today, they are all gone.

如今它们都消失了

The people, ultimately, didn't do much better.

人类最终没有做得更好

The rise and tragic demise of the Easter Islanders, the Rapa Nui, is now legendary.

复活节岛的人类经历了兴盛和悲惨的灭亡 拉帕奴伊是现代传奇

This quarry once occupied the majority of the island's workforce, thousands of people,

这个采石场曾经有半数以上数千的岛民在工作

with each clan trying to carve and raise a bigger, grander figure than those of their neighbours.

由于每个宗族都想把塑像雕得比邻族更大更高