DNA reveals Native American presence in Polynesia 1000 years ago

[FfFfFfFF 58,113]

Native Americans and Polynesians were in contact across the Pacific Ocean centuries before Europeans entered Polynesian waters, according to a new study published today the journal Nature.

Previous genetic studies of sweet potatoes suggest the plant was domesticated in Peru and then spread across Polynesia around 1,000 years ago. A 2014 study of the DNA of 27 people from Rapa Nui found that about 8 percent of their genetic makeup came from Native American ancestors. Those earlier findings suggested that the two groups mixed as early as A.D. 1340, centuries before Europeans first made contact with the Rapa Nui residents in 1722 and, later, violently raided their island for slaves.

For the new study, an international multidisciplinary team looked at the genomes of more than 800 individuals from 17 different Polynesian islands, including Rapa Nui, as well as 15 different coastal Indigenous groups in South America.

The researchers found that contact between Polynesian individuals and a Native American group related to present-day Indigenous people in Colombia occurred as early as A.D. 1150—two centuries earlier than indicated by the 2014 DNA study. The place where the researchers could detect the earliest sign of contact was in Fatu Hiva, an island in the South Marquesas.

Source

[Morphine Prince 109,654]

That’s incredible and makes sense. I didn’t know how good their sailing capabilities were. 

[AsleepOnTheCeiling 6,961]

10 minutes ago, Morphine Prince said:

That’s incredible and makes sense. I didn’t know how good their sailing capabilities were. 

Have you never seen Moana?

[weed 78,905]

I didn’t know Rapa Nui was considered Polynesian, wonder why Chile made claim to it. Crazy how they were able to cross the Pacific Ocean so long ago.

[Morphine Prince 109,654]

36 minutes ago, justhislife said:

Have you never seen Moana?

Yes, but I was actually thinking about the South American natives haha. But yeah it was probably the Polynesians who went over there. 

[vyniildisk 12,689]

It does make sense wow. Actually can we talk about how beautiful Polinesia like woow

[FfFfFfFF 58,113]

 

[Horny Chicken 10,932]

Someone wanted to see the edge of the Earth. 

[weezy 188]

If only 21st century Native American people were as resourceful and resilient as their ancestors... yikes. 

[derpmonster 22,412]

12 minutes ago, weezy said:

If only 21st century Native American people were as resourceful and resilient as their ancestors... yikes. 

?????????

would you like to explain this comment?