Archaeological Research
National Geographic Spotlights Scott Fitzpatrick’s Research
In July 2017, National Geographic dove into questions surrounding an ancient seafaring adventure-the settling of the Pacific Islands-and MNCH associate director Scott Fitzpatrick joined in.
The story, titled “Voyages of Old,” zeroes in on a new study to which Fitzpatrick contributed research. The study combines archaeological and climate data with computer seafaring models to develop scenarios for the original settlement of the Pacific Islands.
“Archaeological evidence points to a gap of about 2,000 years between the time that people first reached western Polynesia and the time they ventured eastward to Oceania,” said Fitzpatrick. “The study helps explain that gap. Ancient seafarers had the wind at their backs as they voyaged as far as Samoa, but there the wind changed direction, effectively stranding them.”
As the study suggests, when early island cultures developed the technologies required to sail against the wind, they were able to undertake successful voyages to Hawai’i. Rapa Nui, and New Zealand- journeys that may have taken as long as two months.
“They were exceptional seafarers, no doubt about it,” Fitzpatrick said in the article.
In July 2017, National Geographic dove into questions surrounding an ancient seafaring adventure-the settling of the Pacific Islands-and MNCH associate director Scott Fitzpatrick joined in.
The story, titled “Voyages of Old,” zeroes in on a new study to which Fitzpatrick contributed research. The study combines archaeological and climate data with computer seafaring models to develop scenarios for the original settlement of the Pacific Islands.
“Archaeological evidence points to a gap of about 2,000 years between the time that people first reached western Polynesia and the time they ventured eastward to Oceania,” said Fitzpatrick. “The study helps explain that gap. Ancient seafarers had the wind at their backs as they voyaged as far as Samoa, but there the wind changed direction, effectively stranding them.”
As the study suggests, when early island cultures developed the technologies required to sail against the wind, they were able to undertake successful voyages to Hawai’i. Rapa Nui, and New Zealand- journeys that may have taken as long as two months.
“They were exceptional seafarers, no doubt about it,” Fitzpatrick said in the article.