The researchers explored how early modern humans migrated by sea in a canoe from Taiwan to southern Japan about 30,000 years ago. To unravel the mysteries of these difficult ancient journeys, the researchers used a unique combination of numerical simulations and experimental archaeology.
The project was carried out by researchers from Japan and Taiwan, led by Professor Yousuke Kaifu from the University of Tokyo. For this, a 7.5-meter-long canoe was built, using replicas of ancient stone tools. And then it happened. Specifically, the canoe paddled about 225 kilometers across the open ocean, connecting eastern Taiwan to Yonaguni Island, in Japan’s Ryukyu mountain group.
Building a real boat
“We started this project with simple questions: ‘How did Paleolithic humans get to islands as far away as Okinawa?’ «How difficult was their journey?» ‘And what tools and strategies did they use?'” said Kaifu. “Archaeological evidence, such as remains and artifacts, cannot provide a complete picture, because the nature of the sea is to wash away such things. So we turned to the idea of experimental archaeology, in a similar way to the 1947 Kon-Tiki expedition of Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl,” the author added.
One paper used numerical simulations to test navigation through the powerful Kuroshio current. The simulation showed that skillful boat construction and skillful navigation could overcome the Kuroshio Current even with ancient gear. The other article detailed the essence of their experiment: building a real boat or canoe, called “Sugime”. In 2019, they reportedly built a canoe out of a Japanese cedar trunk, using replicas of 30,000-year-old stone tools.
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Paddling for 45 hours
For over 45 hours, they sailed the open sea, often with their destination hidden, relying solely on the sun, stars, waves, and their instincts. The team originally floated the idea that ancient people used rafts for sea crossings. However, experiments showed that the rafts were too slow and lacked the durability needed to cope with ocean currents. Instead, the canoe proved to be both “fast and robust.”
“We now know that these canoes are fast and durable enough to make the crossing, but that’s only half the story. Those pioneers, men and women, must have all been seasoned rowers with effective strategies and a strong will to explore the unknown,” Kaifu said. “We don’t think a return trip was possible. If you have a map and know the flow of the Kuroshio River, you can plan a return trip, but such things probably didn’t happen until much later in history,” Kaifu added.
Hundreds of virtual journeys
The team also conducted hundreds of virtual journeys using advanced ocean models to fill in the gaps that a single experiment could not achieve. The simulations explored different starting locations, seasons, and paddling approaches, taking into account current and historical ocean conditions. The research uncovered various perspectives on ancient maritime strategies: starting from northern Taiwan increased the chances of a successful crossing.
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