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From: "Beverly" <>
Subject: [DNA] Re: reply to Geneticist's DNA For Anthropologists
Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2000 08:11:25 -0800
References: <3A419848.1EB39FFA@flashcom.net>


Hello, I read with great interest the theories put forward regarding the
connection between the American Indians and the Polynesians.
I spent time in Hawaii studying Polynesian Anthropology and I spent time
listening to the "old stories" of the polynesian people. They have a story
that says that they came from 'Havai-iki' where their ancestors put forth in
large boats (over sized catamarans if the drawings are correct). They
brought with them the kumera (a type of sweet potato that is native to the
North West Corner of South America). They took this kumera with them and it
is has been found growing as far south as New Zealand and it is not native
to New Zealand.
In the Beatrice Puahi Museum there are star charts that these mariners used.
These are made of bamboo strips that are tied together in a pattern that
shows the ocean currents and prevailing winds, and the constellations are
represented by cowrie shells tied to the bamboo lattice map.
there were too many similar "stories" told of their origins for them to be
ignored and the people who told me these "stories' had nothing to gain and
had no way of collaborating with each other. It is evident that these
ancient mariners traversed the Pacific in these oversized catamaran like
canoes. I have been to the Big Island of Hawaii, and seen the place where
they say they left. There are large holes in the rocks at the water's edge
where they told me they tied up their canoe's prior to the farewell
ceremonies.
I did not get into genetic studies - these are newer studies than what I
did, but I did spend hours sitting on the ground talking with the
descendants of the peoples who traversed the Pacific in large ocean going
canoes that resemble oversized catamarans and I am convinced that they came
from Havai-iki where the kumera grows and travelled to Bora Bora and from
there north to Hawaii, south to Aoa-te- aroha, land of the long white cloud
known now as New Zealand and east to Easter Island. This area comprises the
Polynesian Triangle.
The travels of Thor Hyerdahl bear close reading in regard to the movement of
the peoples whose descendants now populate the Polynesian Islands.
I am excited to see the genetic studies taking place. I strongly suspect
that they will support the 'stories' of the polynesians and also give
credence to the travels of Thor Hyerdahl.
I am very interested in the molecular genealogy findings and its ability to
track groups of peoples.
I was born in Australia and have had interest in the origins of the
Australian Aborigines. They talk of the Dream Time but the symbolism that
they put forward in their "stories of origin" escapes me. I doubt if I will
live long enough to unravel it and leave it to the "younger crowd."
Mollecular Biology will certainly unravel the origins of these people.
I am not an anthropologist. My studies were cultural anthropology but not
my major area of college studies and I offer my "two cents" worth as another
view of the "Origins Puzzle".
cheers,
Beverly.
Life on earth is expensive. The biggest
perk is the free trip around the sun.
Wear a hat and enjoy the ride....

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