First Pacific Settlers Migrated From East Asia

The history of Pacific migration could soon be completely rewritten. Bone troves near the town Sigatoka on Fiji’s main island Viti Levu were estimated to be more than 3000 years old backing a theory that the first settlers migrated from East Asia to New Guinea and then eastward to settle other remote Pacific islands.

East Asia is now referred to as China and Taiwan.

It is believed the settlers probably used Papua New Guinea as a stepping stone to explore further into the Pacific Ocean.

The Fiji-Times ( http://www.fijitimes.com) reports that five skeletons were found by the scientists of the University of the South Pacific (USP) at excavations in Bourewa.

Research coordinator Patrick Nunn said the skeletons are going to be analyzed in more detail for age and origin in Japan. Additionally many ceramic pieces were retrieved. Also found were hunting weapons as well as jewellery made of shells and cochlea.

The Archaeological dig also discovered Obsidian, which arises from the rapid cooling of Lava. This indicates the settlers came from Papua New Guinea as Obsidian is not found in Fiji.

Archaeologists of the Fiji Museum said the findings were “very interesting” and would aid understanding of how the first settlers lived on the Islands.

According to the researchers it would take at least another year until all the data are completely analyzed.

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