The argument is that there is no evidence of collapse before the arrival of Europeans. There is also no/very little evidence of violence and warfare and no evidence of cannibalism.
Something happened in the decades following the first contact in 1722. Arguably the local population might have faced high mortality rates due to European diseases. They seem to have toppled the statues in anger toward their gods for failing to protect the people.
Something happened in the decades following the first contact in 1722. Arguably the local population might have faced high mortality rates due to European diseases. They seem to have toppled the statues in anger toward their gods for failing to protect the people.