Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Two missiles fired from Iran, intercepted.
Israeli media: Powerful explosions heard in North.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Sirens sound in Haifa, large areas in occupied al-Jalil, Golan.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in North.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Three martyrs in strike that targeted vehicle on Shoukin-Kfar Dejjal road, Nabatieh District.
Iranian Judiciary Spokesperson: Israeli aggression on Evin Prison a war crime.
Iranian Judiciary Spokesperson: A number of employees, civilians martyred in Israeli aggression on Evin Prison yesterday.
Netanyahu: "Israel" has agreed to the US proposal for a bilateral ceasefire with Iran.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes Shoukin-Kfar Dejjal road, Nabatieh District.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 25 martyrs, more than 150 injured in Israeli targeting of aid seekers near Netzarim Axis, central Gaza Strip.

A Genetic Study Reveals How Polynesia Was Settled

  • By Al Mayadeen
  • Source: Reuters
  • 23 Sep 2021 23:10
2 Min Read

More than a thousand years ago, seafarers traversed large distances in the Pacific Ocean to reach the last habitable region to have been settled on Earth.

  • x
  • The first voyages were from Samoa to Fiji and Tonga
    The first voyages were from Samoa to Fiji and Tonga

Over a millennium ago, seafarers reached the islands of Polynesia in sailing canoes. This is how the planet's last habitable region to be settled by people became populated.

The timing and sequence of the settlement of this corner of the Earth were deciphered by a genetic study, which found that the settlement began with Samoa Island and ended with Easter Island (known for its huge statues) and other locales. 

  • The famous statues of Easter Island
    The famous statues of Easter Island

The study found that Rapa Nui (Easter Island) was settled in around 1210 AD after a sea voyage that covered an enormous distance of 2,575 km. Historians believe that groups of 30-200 people sailed in double-hulled canoes to reach the island.

Related News

UN's Guterres sounds 'global SOS' as Pacific Ocean levels surge

Biden fights 'uncommitted', loses Samoa; Haley beats Trump in Vermont

"Each living individual retains a genetic record of all the ancestors from whom they inherited their DNA, so by analyzing together hundreds of individuals, we can create a genomic network where connections, splitting patterns and dates can be inferred," said geneticist and study co-author Andres Moreno-Estrada of Mexico's CINVESTAV network of research centers.

The first voyages began with Samoa, moving on to Fiji and Tonga, and then Rarotonga in the Cook Islands in the 9th century. The second wave of voyages began in the 11th century, settling Society Islands, followed in the 12th century by the Austral Islands, ending with the last islands that include Easter Island, the Marquesas Islands, and other locales, which were settled in the 12th and 13th centuries.

“Many of the distances were immense,” said Stanford University computational geneticist Alexander Ioannidis, lead author of the research appearing in the journal Nature.

Chap 2 is out! (Chap 1 was Ioannidis et al. “Nat. Am. gene flow into Polynesia,” Nature 2020.) We answer centuries-old questions🗿 using mostly published modern-day SNP data, highlighting many ancestry specific methods: it’s how you analyze📐it!https://t.co/Np0aYsKvT5

🧵1/12

— Alexander G. Ioannidis (@alexGioannidis) September 22, 2021

Navigation might have happened thanks to ships following the paths of long-distance seabirds and the use of astronomy. 

The study found that the people inhabiting these island chains were genetically connected and had a common genetic source.

Even though the voyages began with Samoa, it is believed that it was an intermediate stop in the chapter of human expansion that began in Taiwan around 4000 to 5000 years ago. Samoa, scientists believed, was settled by around 800 BC.

  • Samoa
  • Polynesia
  • Easter Island

Most Read

Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025
Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

  • Palestine
  • 18 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters upon arriving at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Politics

Trump lashes out at media outlets for downplaying Iran strike impact

ap
Politics

Turkey denies role in US-Israeli strikes on Iran nuclear sites

Iran targets US air base in Qatar with 'destructive' missile strike
MENA

Iran retaliates, targets US air base in Qatar with missiles

Demonstrators hold up a banner during a protest by Palestine Action group in London, Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Politics

UK signals 'terror' ban on 'Palestine Action', sparking protests

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS