Polynesian Expansion

By Lachlan Hartshorn
  • 40,000 BCE

    Aborigines arrive in Australia

    Aborigines arrive in Australia
  • 10,000 BCE

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

    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.

  • 2000 BCE

    Middle Eastern and Chinese societies begin using bronze.

    Middle Eastern and Chinese societies begin using bronze.
  • Period: 1500 BCE to 1000 BCE

    The Lapita people spread across Polynesia.

  • 1 CE

    West Polynesians settle East Polynesia.

    West Polynesians settle East Polynesia.
  • 300

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

    Polynesians settle Hawaii, 'Classical' era of the Maya civilisation begins in Mesoamerica.
  • 700

    Polynesians settle Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

    Polynesians settle Rapa Nui (Easter Island).
  • 1000

    Second migration to Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

    Second migration to Rapa Nui (Easter Island).
  • 1250

    Polynesians settled Rarotonga.

    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.