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 Settlement

of

Polynesia


The last part of the earth to be inhabited by man was the great triangle of islands in the Pacific Ocean, still known as Polynesia. Located in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean, this area has been the subject of much research from persons interested in the origins and culture of the Polynesian people. Many theories have been put forward regarding the starting point of the migration of the people: it could come from Asia ... of America, or even a “lost continent”. Similarly, the question of whether the move was deliberate or accidental was the subject of much debate.


Recent studies in archeology and linguistics show that the Polynesian ancestors were Austronesian speaking navigators, probably from South East Asia. They moved through the north coast of Papua New Guinea 4000-5000 years ago, and then quickly sailed east, arriving in Fiji and Tonga around 1000 before Christ, and Samoa around 1000 B.C. At this time, travel stopped for a period of 1000 years, until the Marquesas Islands are reached between year 0 and 300. With the Marquesas as the first center of dispersion, the Hawaiian Islands, the Society Islands and Easter Island were settled around 850 and New Zealand around year 1000.


Migration in the vast Pacific Ocean demanded higly-competent navigators, together with society organization and sophisticated technology. Large travel canoes should be built. Travel goods had to be stored for the journey and for the installation of the newly discovered lands. Products such as coconut, breadfruit, taro and sugar cane have been introduced and then spread throughout Polynesia by these prehistoric browsers, who also brought their dogs, pigs and their chickens.
                                                                                                       
Elements of these navigation canoes were discovered in 1982 on the site of the former Hotel Bali Hai in Fare, Huahine, by Dr Yosihiko Sinoto and his assistants  from the Bishop Museum in Honolulu.


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