For a groundbreaking new study published in Science Advances, researchers have reenacted an epic journey of over 140 miles from present-day Taiwan to the Ryukyu Islands of southwestern Japan using ancient stone tools. Led by anthropologist Yousuke Kaifu, the team aimed to uncover how early humans made this treacherous migration without modern technology.
Kaifu’s research team gathered data on possible boat designs that early modern humans could have used, including reed-bundle rafts and bamboo rafts. However, these vessels proved too slow and were easily swept off course by strong currents. Undeterred, the researchers turned to building a simple canoe using stone axes and wooden handles.
After chopping down a three-foot-thick Japanese cedar tree, the team dug out a 25-foot-long canoe, which they dubbed “Sugime,” or “cedar” in Japanese. The canoe’s design was based on ancient examples found in the region about 10,000 years ago. By reenacting this journey, the researchers shed new light on one of history’s greatest maritime migrations.
Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/archaeologists-recreate-prehistoric-tools-to-build-a-canoe-for-140-mile