Tupaia's Map: A Remarkable Artifact of Cross-Cultural Exchange

Cook Islanders have ancient South American ancestry

"A recent study by Ionnidis et al. (2020) has found conclusive evidence of prehistoric contact between Polynesians and ancient South Americans around 1200 CE. This contact resulted in the spread of ancient Native American ancestry from Rapa Nui to the Cook Islands."

"Ionnidis' study strongly suggest that the contact event occurred between ancient South Americans and peoples residing between Nuku Hiva, Tuamotus, and Mangareva prior to the settlement of Easter Island (Rapa Nui)."

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Details: Published: 05 November 2023

Tupaia's map, a remarkable artifact of cross-cultural exchange, stands as a testament to the navigational prowess and knowledge of the Maohi people. Created during Captain James Cook's Endeavour voyage in 1769, the map depicts a vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing over 4,800 kilometres from Easter Island to New Zealand.

Taylor and Francis online.

Tupaia, an arioi priest, Ariki advisor, and master navigator from Raiatea, played a pivotal role in the creation of this extraordinary map. Possessing an extensive understanding of Polynesian celestial navigation, Tupaia collaborated with Cook and his crew to translate his mental map of the Pacific onto paper.

The map's intricate details reveal a deep understanding of Polynesian navigation techniques, including the use of celestial bodies, wave patterns, and bird migrations to traverse the vast Pacific. Tupaia's ability to conceptualise and communicate this knowledge to the Europeans demonstrates the remarkable navigational expertise of the Maohi people.

Tupaia's map goes beyond mere cartography; it serves as a bridge between two distinct cultures and worldviews. The map's creation facilitated communication and understanding between the Europeans and the Maohi, fostering a relationship that would shape the future of Pacific exploration.

Significance of Tupaia's Map:

Preservation of Polynesian Knowledge: The map serves as a valuable record of Polynesian navigational knowledge, preserving a rich cultural heritage.
Cross-Cultural Exchange: The map's creation exemplifies the exchange of knowledge and understanding between the Europeans and the Maohi.
Historical Insight: The map provides valuable insights into the dynamics of early European encounters with Pacific cultures.

Tupaia's map remains a cherished artifact, not only for its historical significance but also for the remarkable story of cross-cultural collaboration and the preservation of indigenous knowledge it embodies. It stands as a reminder of the interconnectedness of human cultures and the power of shared knowledge to bridge vast distances.

Part of Tupaia's map showing how to get from Tumutevarovaro (Rarotonga) to Niue and Tonga

Part of Tupaia's map showing Sailing routes from Rimatara > Atiu > Mitiaro > Mangaia & Manuae

Sailing route from Mangareva onto Pitcairn onto Rapa Nui as shown on Tupaia's main map

Part of Tupaia's map showing Sailing routes from Rotuma to Savaii -> Manua

From the East - The Rat Race to Rapa Nui

"The timing and sequence of settlement across numerous islands within the Polynesian Triangle by the Maori/Maohi/Maoli remain a subject of considerable debate. Conflicting estimates of the initial colonisation by the Maori/Maohi/Maoli persist, showing variations of more than 1,000 years, as highlighted in studies by Wilmshurst et al. (2008, 2011)."

"A team led by Katrina West et al. (2017) undertook a study to try and solve the sequence of settlement aspect of this problem. The research, using the Pacific rat, Rattus exultus, has found that their results are consistent with the theory of a Central East Polynesian homeland (around Tahiti, Raiatea), from which widespread expansion occurred to Rapa Nui, Hawaii, and New Zealand."

Rarotonga Tiki