Masters of the Ocean: The Epic Story of How the Austronesians Spanned Two Oceans
This talk covers the seafaring achievements of the Austronesians, highlighting their significant influence across the Pacific and Indian Oceans
The Austronesians were master navigators whose incredible maritime achievements connected two worlds: the Pacific and the Indian Oceans. This talk explores their remarkable expansion, from Easter Island in the east to Madagascar in the west, and from New Zealand in the south to Taiwan in the north. Using outrigger canoes and advanced star-based navigation, they settled some of the most remote islands on Earth. We’ll also delve into their shared linguistic and cultural heritage, the spread of crops and technologies across vast distances, and the enduring legacy of their seafaring prowess. This is the story of one of humanity’s greatest achievements in exploration.