Replica of Polynesian CanoeCourtesy Stan ShebsA group of maritime researchers and boat designers, James Wharrem, Hanneke Boon, and Klaus Hympendahl, will try to recreate an ancient Polynesian migration route using 2 catamarans made with traditional hull shape. Linguistic and DNA evidence from domesticated pigs suggests that Polynesians likely originated in the Taiwan area and settled the Pacific Islands between 2,500 to 1,500 years ago. The team will only use navigational tools that would have been available during that period such as wind, sun, stars, wave patterns, and birds. They will begin at the Phillipine island of Pangao and end in the Solomon Islands at Tikopia and Anuta. You can go to Position Map to track where they have been.
When they reach the end of their voyage, the two boats will be donated to the people of these two islands. The project was first initiated by the researchers’ discovery of a Tikopian boat in a museum. This led them to seek out the donor and while on the island of Tikopia, they made plans for Lapita Voyage with the chiefs. Over three years later, they have set sail and plan to reach their destination sometime in April 2009. For more information, visit their website at Lapita Voyage.