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Ancient Navigators: 30,000-Year-Old Canoe Journey Uncovered

6/30/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Japanese archaeologists embarked on an extraordinary 30,000-year-old journey, paddling a dugout canoe named Sugime from Taiwan to the Ryukyu Islands. Battling the fierce Kuroshio current, they persevered for over 40 hours, ultimately reaching Yonaguni Island. Their adventure reveals that early humans were skilled navigators, adept at reading currents and geography to chart their course.

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Story summary

Japanese archaeologists embarked on an extraordinary 30,000-year-old journey, paddling a dugout canoe named Sugime from Taiwan to the Ryukyu Islands. Battling the fierce Kuroshio current, they persevered for over 40 hours, ultimately reaching Yonaguni Island. Their adventure reveals that early humans were skilled navigators, adept at reading currents and geography to chart their course.