Post #609516 by TraderDon on Sun, Oct 9, 2011 9:09 AM

Anyone ever catch this show? It has a big section about how Polynesians likely came to Southern California and South America

When I woke up this morning my kids were watching a "Who really discovered America" show on History Channel and it had just gotten to the part where they talked about how some researchers believe that islanders would set out on discovery voyages (following directions birds went and the winds)-- they showed off some interesting evidence found near Santa Barbara and Catalina island which were Tahitian style fishhooks. Also in South America they found chicken bones that match the type of chickens that originated on the islands.

One researcher estimated that it would have taken 300 days to get their boats from the islands up to Santa Barbara with currents and trade winds, and that was a lot of paddling. So they guessed that in order to maintain long voyages they took chickens and fishing supplies with them and just lived off the waters along the way. Pretty cool.

I've always found this topic pretty fascinating. If you can catch it it's entertaining.