A 2024 paper analyzed 46 starch grains from 20 obsidian tools at Anakena on Rapa Nui, revealing breadfruit and South American crops. These previously unknown taxa provide direct evidence that Polynesian settlers deliberately brought South American and Pacific crops during initial colonization of Easter Island.
2024 paper finds breadfruit and ginger starch on Easter Island obsidian tools
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Key facts
- 2024 paper titled "Identification of breadfruit and South American crops introduced during early settlement of Rapa Nui as revealed through starch analysis"
- 46 starch grains recovered from 20 obsidian tools at Anakeion site
- Previously unknown taxa found: breadfruit and ginger
- Provides direct evidence for translocation of Polynesian and South American crop plants at initial colonization
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