Fig. 4.1 - Artist's reconstruction of how the island's inhabitants may have appeared several thousand years ago. Note the three distinct body types.

• Settlements
• Non-human remains
• Masks, masks, masks
• Technology
• Conflict

The following passages are excerpts from the full report by Drs. Boswell and Livingstone, based on team research done on the island of Mata Nui, June-July 2001.

"... There appear to have been six settlements, each in an unique climate. It is clear from the layouts of the settlements (only 3 of which were in good condition) that they were each ruled by one chieftain. Artifacts indicate a high degree of sophistication, in some cases rivaling today's human technology.

"The social structure seems to have been peaceful and industrious. There are few indications of violence previous to the period of cataclysm at the end of their tenure. Indeed, the societies appear to have cooperated to a degree unprecedented in extended human history.

"As astonishing as this statement seems, there is no denying that the inhabitants were not human. They appeared to have been at least partially biomechanical, with standardized elements that may even have had the capability to replace pieces of themselves at will. There is some evidence that they in fact combined to form even bigger and stronger beings!

"Each inhabitant wore a mask at virtually all times. The masks varied but had some of the same characteristics. We have been unable to determine the significance of the masks.

"After a period of what appears to have been peaceful coexistance, a shorter time of strife and turmoil occurred. At this time fossil records indicate the appearance of warriors, 'tua' or 'toa' who protected and fought for the rest of the inhabitants.

"The struggle was obviously won by the islanders, and whatever remnants of the 'evil' that attacked are lost. The conflict had its casualties, but we believe there was a happy ending: the tread track, circular fueling station, heavy equipment, and signs of mass gatherings strongly suggest the entire remaining population of the island… departed. At one time.

"We have concluded that this island holds incontrovertible proof of extraterrestrial habitation on this planet, albeit many thousands of years ago. Who knows what secrets we may be able to discover by a full investigation of this place?

"In the meantime, we have learned a great deal about how these people lived... their differences made them a stronger people instead of breaking them apart. This is something we should must strive to emulate."