Breaking News: Stone Age Humans Conquered Powerful Ocean Currents with Simple Canoes
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers in East Asia have demonstrated that Stone Age humans were capable of impressive feats, including navigating one of the world’s strongest ocean currents using simple canoes. This finding challenges previous perceptions of Stone Age people as primitive and showcases their remarkable maritime skills.
Replicating the Journey of 30,000 Years Ago
A team of researchers, led by Yūsuke Kaifu of the University of Tokyo, built a canoe using stone tools and replicated a journey that Stone Age humans might have undertaken 30,000 years ago. They successfully crossed the Kuroshio Current, one of the strongest oceanic currents in the world, from Taiwan to the Ryukyu Islands in southern Japan.
The Ryukyu Islands, located southwest of Japan, have archaeological sites dating back to 35,000 to 30,000 years ago. Until now, it was unclear how the first modern humans migrated to East Asia without maps, metal tools, or modern boats.
From Rafts to Canoes: The Key Discovery
Initially, researchers assumed that Stone Age people used rafts for such journeys. However, experiments showed that rafts were too slow and not durable enough to cross the Kuroshio Current. After simulations and further experiments, the team built an excavated canoe, a boat made from a single tree trunk, using replicas of prehistoric stone tools.
The construction process was meticulous. Cutting through a Japanese cedar trunk, one meter thick, took six days using stone axes. The resulting 7.5-meter-long canoe, weighing 241 kilograms, was named “Sugime.”
The Epic Voyage
In July 2019, five experienced rowers—four men and a woman—embarked on a journey with the “Sugime” canoe, without modern technology such as GPS or compasses. Their journey was documented in a diary, detailing navigation errors, exhaustion, and the challenges of rowing against the powerful current.
After 45 hours and 225 kilometers, the crew reached Yonaguni Island, part of the Ryukyu Islands. This successful voyage proved that Stone Age humans could have made similar journeys using simple boats.
Implications for Human Migration
The findings suggest that Stone Age humans had advanced maritime skills and effective strategies for navigating unknown waters. However, a return trip would have been challenging without maps and knowledge of the current patterns, which were likely unavailable until much later in history.
This discovery not only sheds light on the capabilities of Stone Age humans but also provides insights into human migration patterns and the development of maritime technology.
Evergreen Context: The Legacy of Stone Age Innovation
The ability of Stone Age humans to navigate powerful ocean currents using rudimentary technology highlights their ingenuity and resilience. This discovery is a testament to human adaptability and the potential for innovation even with limited resources. Understanding these ancient journeys can offer valuable lessons for modern-day explorers and adventurers.
For more on human history and the fascinating world of ancient civilizations, stay tuned to archyde.com.
Image: Yūsuke Kaifu/dpa/picture alliance
