Genetics reveal how humans island-hopped to settle remote Pacific

Study using DNA analysis reveals not only are statues on these distant islands connected, but inhabitants too

Easter Island’s famous megaliths have relatives on islands thousands of miles to the north and west, and so did the people who created them, a study has found.

Over a 250-year period separate groups of people set out from tiny islands east of Tahiti to settle Easter Island, the Marquesas and Raivavae – archipelagos that are thousands of miles apart but all home to similar ancient statues.

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