Chapter 12 - Distant Horizons and Stars Beckon

Summary

ch 12: This chapter examines prehistoric migrations to oceanic islands. First, it considers the special difficulties of reaching such islands, and reviews claims about Pleistocene preagricultural movement to oceanic islands. Next, it focuses on the peopling of the Pacific Ocean, the fastest and most geographically extensive human population movement of all time. Though some archaeologists have speculated that these islands were colonized accidentally, the evidence shows that these were purposeful voyages by people who knew exactly where they were going and how to get there. Lowered sea levels during the LGM/MIS 2 shortened distances between some islands and possibly aided humans living in Sunda, Wallacea, and Sahul in settling Near Oceania. Movements into Remote Oceania commenced around 4 Ka, and movements into Polynesia after 1 Ka. Finally, the chapter considers future human migrations on Earth and beyond. The latter, it argues, will not be “just like Star Trek.”