Timeline: Polynesian Expansion

40,000 BCE

Solomon Islands are first settled

This is the begging of the Polynesian expansion.

30,000 BCE

First settlers reach the end of the Solomon Islands

The Polynesians are already going off to settle other Islands.

10,000 BCE

Sea levels begin to rise

This may have effected how the Polynesians chose to navigate the islands.

6000 BCE

Migrants leave what we know as Taiwan for Melanesia

4000 BCE

Migrants leave the Solomon Islands for what we know as New Caledonia

3000 BCE

Austronesian settle Malaysia and Indonesia

Nations in the same sought of area of Polynesia are being founded, proving just how hard the Polynesian Islands are to navigate.

2000 BCE

Migrants continue further to Fiji, Samoa and Tonga

Vast majority of Polynesia is now settled.

1000 BCE

Polynesians settle Aotearoa (New Zealand)

Polynesians were able to make the voyage all the way to New Zealand.

700

Polynesians settle Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

A period of culture and art development held back the Polynesian expansion till now.

1000

Almost all Islands of Polynesia are settled

This is an early settlement compared to nations such as North America which are one large nation and haven't been settled yet.

1250

Polynesians settle Raratonga

1519

Ferdinand Magellan explored Polynesia

He was the first European to cross the Pacific and still saw none of the islands. This explains how hard these Islands are to navigate as a well renowned sailor didn't even spot one island and how well the Polynesians were at navigating the sea.

1607

United States of America is settled

This conveys how professional the Polynesians were at navigating the sea's as America was found late compared to Polynesian even though it is one large piece of land compared to several small lands.