Polynesian Lunar Calendars Reveal Human Migration Patterns

Researchers from the University of Murcia (Spain) and the University of Bologna (Italy) analyzed 48 lunar‑night lists from Eastern Polynesia, publishing their findings in PLOS ONE. Using a computational algorithm, they identified two major groups of calendars that correspond to previously proposed linguistic divisions, supporting the hypothesis that Polynesian languages and calendars evolved in parallel as communities spread across the Pacific.

The study highlights the role of ancient lunar calendars in organizing daily activities such as fishing and shows how oral traditions preserved this knowledge, with examples like a wooden tablet from Rapa Nui written in the undeciphered rongorongo script. The results provide new evidence for the timing and routes of early human migrations throughout the Polynesian islands.