Submerged Islands and Early Polynesian Navigators: A Journey Through History

During the last ice age, a significant portion of the world's water was locked in ice caps, causing global sea levels to drop dramatically. As a result, many islands that are now submerged were above water, providing additional landmasses and potential routes for early peoples, including the Polynesians. This article explores the evidence suggesting that submerged islands could have played a role in the Polynesian settlement of the Pacific and the connection to their navigation and voyaging techniques.

Submerged Landmasses and Hidden Islands

It is a well-established fact that during the last ice age, the sea level was approximately 120 meters (400 feet) below its current level. This substantial drop in sea levels created numerous submerged islands and landmasses that are now permanently submerged. Some of these submerged areas, like Sundaland and the Bering Land Bridge, have been documented and studied extensively. Sundaland, which includes parts of present-day Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, would have connected various islands, potentially facilitating easier migration across distinct islands that are now separated by the rising sea levels.

The Bering Land Bridge, meanwhile, is more famously known for its role in the migration into the Americas. However, this example serves to illustrate how land connections could have allowed ancient peoples to traverse vast distances, a principle that could be similarly applied to the Pacific region. Submerged islands in the Pacific, such as those in the Tuamotu Archipelago and the Cook Islands, would have been accessible during lower sea levels. Although the exact locations and sizes of these islands are still under investigation, they could have served as stepping stones for Polynesian voyagers.

Polynesian Navigators: Adept and Resourceful

The evidence suggests that Polynesians were adept navigators and utilized these submerged landmasses for fishing, resource gathering, and resting during long voyages. However, direct archaeological evidence linking these submerged islands to Polynesian navigation and settlement is less definitive. The alignment of time frames of occupation and submergence often does not match up perfectly, making it challenging to establish a clear connection.

Indirect Evidence and Cultural Connections

While the direct evidence is scarce, indirect evidence like physical and cultural remnants suggests that Polynesians may have made their way to places like Peru well before other groups. For instance, there is evidence that Polynesians predated people from northern routes by at least 16,000 BCE. It is fascinating to note that the Polynesians brought advanced practices to Peru, including the introduction of chickens and the practice of surfing, which is still maintained by local fishermen using Polynesian-style boats.

Submerged Islands: A Path to Peru

It is not entirely clear when Polynesians first crossed the Pacific to Peru, but the connection is evident in the cultural and biological evidence. A simple inspection using Google Earth reveals submerged islands that follow a path to Peru. These features can be identified as flat-topped sea mounts, which are actually submerged atolls. While it is not possible to determine their former height due to fluctuations in the Earth's crust and the influence of undersea volcanoes, these findings suggest a possible navigational route for early Polynesians.

Conclusion

The concept of submerged islands providing additional routes and resources for early Pacific navigators is a fascinating area of study that continues to evolve with ongoing research in archaeology and oceanography. The evidence, though indirect, points to the navigational prowess of Polynesians and the potential role of these hidden islands in their voyaging and settlement history. As we delve deeper into the mysteries of the past, we continue to unravel the complex narratives of human migration and the interactions between distant cultures.