1. POLYNESIAN EXPLORATIONS
MAP OF POLYNESIA

2. POLYNESIAN EXPLORATIONS
CAUSES OF EXPLORATION
Polynesian expansion was the result of planned voyages undertaken with the intention of establishing colonies
Sea travel moved goods and people faster and cheaper than overland travel
Attractive to adventurers; crossing unknown waters was dangerous and exciting

3. POLYNESIAN EXPLORATIONS
METHODS USED
Polynesian mariners navigated by the stars and by their observations of ocean currents and evidence of land.

4. POLYNESIAN EXPLORATIONS
EVIDENCE OF PLANNING
No written records left…
Linguistic evidence that remains:
Malaya => Western Pacific Islands => Eastern Pacific Islands
Scale of the remains of materials…lends to the belief that colonization was occurring (planned endeavor)
Experiment of the Hokulea

5. POLYNESIAN EXPLORATIONS
EFFECTS OF EXPLORATION
Polynesian language and culture dot the landscape and the perimeter of the Pacific Islands
Prime example are the Moai heads in Easter Island!