Polynesian Expansion

By Lachlan Hartshorn
  • Aborigines arrive in Australia
    40,000 BCE

    Aborigines arrive in Australia

  • Last ice age ends; Pottery is first developed in Japan.
    10,000 BCE

    Last ice age ends; Pottery is first developed in Japan.

  • Period: 8000 BCE to 7000 BCE

    Indochina is settled.

  • Period: 4000 BCE to 3000 BCE

    Mesopotamian cities first emerge in what we know as Iraq.

  • Middle Eastern and Chinese societies begin using bronze.
    2000 BCE

    Middle Eastern and Chinese societies begin using bronze.

  • Period: 1500 BCE to 1000 BCE

    The Lapita people spread across Polynesia.

  • West Polynesians settle East Polynesia.
    1 CE

    West Polynesians settle East Polynesia.

  • Polynesians settle Hawaii, 'Classical' era of the Maya civilisation begins in Mesoamerica.
    300

    Polynesians settle Hawaii, 'Classical' era of the Maya civilisation begins in Mesoamerica.

  • Polynesians settle Rapa Nui (Easter Island).
    700

    Polynesians settle Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

  • Second migration to Rapa Nui (Easter Island).
    1000

    Second migration to Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

  • Polynesians settled Rarotonga.
    1250

    Polynesians settled Rarotonga.

  • Period: 1568 to

    Portuguese explorer Mendana sailed around North and Central Pacific, contacted the Melanesians and the Marquesan’s.

  • Abel Tasman arrives at Aotearoa [New Zealand]

    Abel Tasman arrives at Aotearoa [New Zealand]

  • Jakob Hogeveen arrives at Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

    Jakob Hogeveen arrives at Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

  • Onwards Missionaries begin widespread work in Polynesia, leading to decline of Polynesian cultures.

    Onwards Missionaries begin widespread work in Polynesia, leading to decline of Polynesian cultures.