Polynesian Voyagers' Sudden Eastward Sail After 1,700 Years Sparks New Mystery

A new study revisits the long‑standing puzzle of Polynesian navigation. The focus is on a gap of roughly 1,700 years in recorded voyages. After this interval, evidence suggests a sudden shift toward eastward sailing. Scholars analyze archaeological and linguistic clues to explain the change. The research questions what cultural or environmental factors prompted the move. Possible drivers include new maritime technologies or external contacts. The article situates the mystery within broader Pacific settlement patterns. Understanding the shift could reshape narratives of early seafaring societies.