Genomic study links Hawaii and Easter Island to shared Polynesian ancestry

A genomic analysis of over 1,000 individuals published in Science indicates that the founding populations of Hawaii and Easter Island share a common ancestral origin linked to Mangareva, suggesting a single dispersal event across the Pacific. The finding refines models of Polynesian migration, though the exact timing and routes remain inferred. This matters for understanding human settlement history and the genetic legacy of Pacific islands.

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