Scientists have successfully replicated a 140-mile journey across the open sea using a primitive canoe, recreating a prehistoric voyage that spanned some 30,000 years ago. The team of four paddled a 25-foot-long dugout canoe from eastern Taiwan to Japan’s Yonaguni Island, braving strong ocean currents and extreme fatigue.
The expedition was part of a research project aimed at understanding how ancient people navigated the Pacific during their migrations. Using replicas of prehistoric tools, such as an axe and adze, the team constructed the canoe from a Japanese cedar tree. They relied on traditional navigation methods, including reading the sun and stars, to guide them.
The voyage, which lasted over 45 hours, was accompanied by two escort craft for safety reasons. The researchers faced several challenges, including navigating the strong Kuroshio current, but ultimately completed the crossing safely.
Lead author Yousuke Kaifu of the University of Tokyo noted that the project demonstrated the capabilities of ancient people in traversing the ocean using rudimentary technology. “We found that Paleolithic people could cross the sea with dugout canoes and were skilled paddlers and navigators,” he said.
The research builds upon previous studies, including the 1947 Kon-Tiki expedition, which aimed to demonstrate how prehistoric people from South America reached Polynesia. While the theory was initially met with skepticism, recent evidence has validated it.
This latest study provides valuable insights into ancient navigation and reinforces the idea that our ancestors were capable of traversing vast distances using primitive technology.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/science/with-primitive-canoe-scientists-replicate-prehistoric-seafaring-2025-06-25