Recreating Ancient Ocean Voyages: How Paleolithic People Could Have Crossed the Sea
Humans emerged in Africa around 300,000 years ago and gradually migrated across the globe, reaching even the most remote corners of the Earth. One of the most intriguing questions in anthropology is how our ancient ancestors managed to navigate treacherous ocean expanses with limited technology. A recent experimental expedition sheds light on this enigma.
Researchers embarked on a daring journey across the East China Sea, paddling from Taiwan to Japan in a replica of a Paleolithic dugout canoe. The 25-foot-long canoe, named Sugime, was crafted using primitive tools such as an axe and an adze, mimicking the techniques employed by our ancestors thousands of years ago.
The crew of four men and one woman braved the elements, battling the formidable Kuroshio current during their 140-mile journey. Navigating by the sun, stars, and ocean swells, the voyagers successfully reached Yonaguni Island, part of the Ryukyu chain off Japan.
Lead researcher Yousuke Kaifu from the University of Tokyo emphasized the challenges faced by the ancient seafarers. “The Paleolithic people could cross the sea with dugout canoes if they were skilled paddlers and navigators, despite the risks posed by strong ocean currents,” Kaifu explained.
Archeological evidence suggests that around 30,000 years ago, early humans crossed from Taiwan to the Ryukyu islands using similar methods. The study highlights the remarkable capabilities of our ancestors in undertaking perilous sea journeys with rudimentary tools and without modern navigation aids.
The experiment is reminiscent of Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon-Tiki expedition in 1947, which aimed to demonstrate ancient maritime migration routes. While Heyerdahl’s theories have been challenged, the current research provides a more realistic model of prehistoric ocean voyages.
Physical oceanographer Yu-Lin Chang, co-author of the study, emphasized the variability of ancient sea conditions. “Crossing the Kuroshio was possible in ancient times, but unpredictable weather could have led to failures,” Chang noted.
This groundbreaking research offers new insights into how Paleolithic people might have traversed vast oceanic distances, shedding light on their remarkable seafaring abilities. By recreating ancient voyages, scientists are uncovering the ingenuity and resilience of our early ancestors in exploring the world’s remote corners.
(Source: Reuters – Reporting by Will Dunham in Washington, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien)