Around 1,000 AD, the Polynesians spread across the South Pacific like the tentacles of an octopus. Without metal or modern navigational tools, they sailed across thousands of miles of open ocean to find and colonize hundreds of islands, including Tahiti, New Zealand, Hawaii, Samoa, Easter Island and many others. They are some of the most extraordinary explorers in the history of the world – and this is their story.
This is a single-episode series.
Download this episode or listen online.
Maps
Map of South Pacific including Polynesia – Source
Sources
There are lots and lots of articles online about Polynesia and the Polynesians. I’ve included a couple of my favorite books on the subject, and a few links. Just do some searches if you want to learn more.
Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia, by Christina Thompson. Great book that really covers the topic better than anyone, including the history of European interaction with the Polynesians.
Voyagers : The Settlement of the Pacific, by Nicolas Thomas. Another solid book on the Polynesians and their expansion into the Pacific.
Polynesians on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polynesians
Polynesian Navigation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polynesian_navigation
Polynesian Voyaging Society: https://hokulea.com/polynesian-wayfinding/
Explorers Podcast 