Discover the captivating journey of humans across the Pacific in our course, “Polynesia and the Pacific Island Past.” Delve into groundbreaking research from archaeology, genetics, and linguistics that reshapes our understanding of ancient migrations and island life. Trace the first daring crossings 50,000 years ago, and the astonishing voyages that connected remote islands like Hawaii, New Zealand, and Easter Island. Explore how ancient Polynesians adapted to diverse environments, transforming agriculture and ecosystems. Recent advances in DNA reveal their history in remarkable new detail. What fueled their exploration across vast uncharted seas? How are island histories similar and unique? Did ancient Americans play a role in Polynesia’s past? Join us to uncover the dynamic stories of discovery, adaptation, and connection across the vast Pacific – a testament to human ingenuity and resilience.
Recommended Reading
The Oxford Handbook of Prehistoric Oceania, Ethan Cochrane and Terry Hunt, editors (2018)
Meet Your Instructor
TERRY HUNT is an internationally renowned archaeologist and one of the world’s foremost experts on the Pacific Islands. He has conducted field research in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Hawai`i, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), and in synthetic analyses of Polynesian chronology and migration. He taught at the University of Hawai`i for 25 years and has four decades of experience in the Pacific. The National Science Foundation funds his current and continuing field research collaboration on Rapa Nui.
Location
POETRY CENTER
Dorothy Rubel Room
1508 E Helen
Tucson, AZ 85721
United States
Located on the SE corner of Helen Street and Vine Avenue, one block north of Speedway and three blocks west of Campbell Ave.
