October 25, 2014

Pre-Columbian Genes Found at Rapa Nui

Danish genetic researchers have analyzed the genomes of 27 Rapa Nui individuals and found genes related to Native Americans before any European admixture. The Native American admixture dated to 1280-1495 CE. The same geneticists had examined two skulls of the “Botocudos” of Brazil and found their ancestry was Polynesian, with no detectable Native American traits.  The latest findings indicate that Native Americans sailed to Rapa Nui or Polynesians sailed to America and back. The odds are with Polynesian sailings due to ocean currents and winds.
The study is published in the peer reviewed; Cell Press journal, Current Biology.

Popular Archaeology and Science Daily have the news here;
http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/fall-09012014/article/genetic-study-shows-early-contact-between-easter-islanders-and-south-americans
and
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141023131655.htm