logo
ResearchBunny Logo
Ancient Rapanui genomes reveal resilience and pre-European contact with the Americas

Humanities

Ancient Rapanui genomes reveal resilience and pre-European contact with the Americas

J. V. Moreno-mayar, B. S. D. Mota, et al.

This research, conducted by J. Víctor Moreno-Mayar and colleagues, explores the mysteries of Rapa Nui history by delving into ancient genomes. Challenging the ecocide theory, the study reveals a surprising 10% Native American admixture, indicating pre-Columbian contact between Polynesians and Native Americans. Discover the intriguing connections that shaped Easter Island's past!

00:00
00:00
Playback language: English
Abstract
This study investigated two prominent theories surrounding Rapa Nui (Easter Island) history: the ecocide theory of population collapse and pre-European contact with the Americas. By analyzing whole-genome sequencing data from 15 ancient Rapanui individuals (1670–1950 CE), the researchers rejected the ecocide theory, finding no evidence of a severe population bottleneck. Furthermore, they discovered significant Native American admixture (∼10%) in both ancient and present-day Rapanui, dating this admixture event to 1250–1430 CE. This finding strongly supports pre-Columbian trans-Pacific contact between Polynesians and Native Americans.
Publisher
Nature
Published On
Sep 11, 2024
Authors
J. Víctor Moreno-Mayar, Bárbara Sousa da Mota, Tom Higham, Signe Klemm, Moana Gorman Edmunds, Jesper Stenderup, Miren Iraeta-Orbegozo, Véronique Laborde, Evelyne Heyer, Francisco Torres Hochstetter, Martin Friess, Morten E. Allentoft, Hannes Schroeder, Olivier Delaneau, Anna-Sapfo Malaspinas
Tags
Rapa Nui
genome sequencing
ecocide theory
Native American admixture
trans-Pacific contact
history
population collapse

Related Publications

Explore these studies to deepen your understanding of the subject.

The aftermath of war; mental health, substance use and their correlates with social support and resilience among adolescents in a post-conflict region of Sri Lanka
Psychology

The aftermath of war; mental health, substance use and their correlates with social support and resilience among adolescents in a post-conflict region of Sri Lanka

L. Dissanayake, S. Jabir, et al.

Developing a BOPPPS (Bridge-in, Objectives, Pre-assessment, Participatory Learning, Post-assessment and Summary) model combined with the OBE (Outcome Based Education) concept to improve the teaching outcomes of higher education
Education

Developing a BOPPPS (Bridge-in, Objectives, Pre-assessment, Participatory Learning, Post-assessment and Summary) model combined with the OBE (Outcome Based Education) concept to improve the teaching outcomes of higher education

Z. Xu, L. Ge, et al.

Do perceived control and time orientation mediate the effect of early life adversity on reproductive behaviour and health status? Insights from the European Value Study and the European Social Survey
Psychology

Do perceived control and time orientation mediate the effect of early life adversity on reproductive behaviour and health status? Insights from the European Value Study and the European Social Survey

B. C. Farkas, V. Chambon, et al.

A "pre-traumatic stress syndrome": trauma and war in Elizabeth Bowen's *The Last September* and *The Heat of the Day*
Humanities

A "pre-traumatic stress syndrome": trauma and war in Elizabeth Bowen's *The Last September* and *The Heat of the Day*

Q. He

Listen, Learn & Level Up
Over 10,000 hours of research content in 25+ fields, available in 12+ languages.
No more digging through PDFs, just hit play and absorb the world's latest research in your language, on your time.
listen to research audio papers with researchbunny