March 2024 PMID 38507346

Identification of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) and South American crops introduced during early settlement of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), as revealed through starch analysis.

Paloma Berenguer, Claudia Clavero, Mónica Saldarriaga-Córdoba, Antonio Rivera-Hutinel, Daniela Seelenfreund, Helene Martinsson-Wallin, Patricia Castañeda, Andrea Seelenfreund

Mentions

67
Peak: 31 in Mar 2024
across 6 sources since Mar 2024

Extended reach

387,739
potential audience

Total likes

144

Video views

1,277

Mentions per month

Mar 2024 – Nov 2024

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter31 posts
  • News23 articles
  • Blogs6 articles
  • Bluesky3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Facebook2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The posts highlight the groundbreaking nature of the starch analysis revealing South American crops on Easter Island, with phrases like 'evidence of ancient contact' and 'supports theories of early exchange' reflecting both curiosity and acknowledgment of the research’s importance. The tone varies from enthusiastic to analytical, emphasizing the study’s potential to reshape understanding of Polynesian and South American interactions.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions express agreement with the significance of the findings, highlighting the discovery of evidence of early contact between Polynesian settlers and South America, supporting theories of pre-Columbian interactions.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate strong curiosity, with many emphasizing the interesting nature of the research and its implications for understanding island history and human migrations.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several comments delve into methodological details and broader historical impacts, showing moderate to deep engagement with the research and its cultural significance.

ImpactModerate impact

Discussions suggest that the findings have noteworthy implications for historical and archaeological narratives, with some advocating for a reassessment of traditional settlement histories, thus perceiving the study as impactful.

Abstract in brief

  • Analysis of starch residues on stone tools from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) dated to AD 1000-1300 reveals the earliest evidence of human settlement.
  • The study identified 46 starch grains from 20 obsidian tools, highlighting the introduction of traditional crops, including previously unknown species like breadfruit and ginger.
  • Notable findings also include the first record of sweet potato in the Pacific and evidence of South American cultivars being brought to the island, indicating a significant exchange of agricultural knowledge during early colonization.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Wrath Of Gnon
@wrathofgnon · X

Physical evidence of pre-columbian oceanic contact with South America found on Easter Island: remains of American plants on Oceanian obsidian tools. https://t.co/G4ar47R3Up https://t.co/XOlxhOtdN7

Mar 22, 2024 · 47 likes · 2 shares · 163,946 followers View post →
Professor Don Pate
@DrDonPate · X

New archaeological research examining food residues on obsidian blades from Easter Island (Rapa Nui) suggests Polynesians had regular contact with South America as far back as 1000 years ago. Multiple maritime routes into the ancient Americas! https://t.co/EG8mJM1bXM

Mar 21, 2024 · 16 likes · 3 shares · 1,013 followers View post →
Wandering Wolf Productions
@WWolfProd · X

https://t.co/TCRrBl3CWY

May 17, 2024 · 10 likes · 1 share · 17,228 followers View post →
manasataramgini
@blog_supplement · X

More archaeological support for Thor Heyerdahl's theory of South American-Polynesian contact https://t.co/6i3g1pS3Hi

Mar 21, 2024 · 9 likes · 3 shares · 18,819 followers View post →
Jens Notroff
@jens2go · X

Original study: P. Berenguer et al., Identification of #breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) and South American crops introduced during early settlement of #RapaNui (#EasterIsland), as revealed through #starch analysis, @PLOSONE 19(3), 2024.

Mar 23, 2024 · 7 likes · 2 shares · 18,822 followers View post →
Kamil Kopij - @kkopij.bsky.social
@True_Q · X

A to ciekawe, że pojawiły się dowody na kontakty mieszkańców Rapa Nui z Ameryką Południową! https://t.co/SHELEs9TQA

Mar 21, 2024 · 7 likes · 735 followers View post →

All mentions

Claire
@Beebits69Claire · X

RT @WWolfProd: https://t.co/TCRrBl3CWY

May 17, 2024 · 1 share · 5,588 followers View post →
Wandering Wolf Productions
@WWolfProd · X

https://t.co/TCRrBl3CWY

May 17, 2024 · 10 likes · 1 share · 17,228 followers View post →
Instituto Varsovienne
@IVarsovienne · X

@VCT_ElMercurio https://t.co/7OrZ3djXVc

Apr 1, 2024 · 2 likes · 134 followers View post →
Instituto Varsovienne
@IVarsovienne · X

@patrimonio_cl @UNESCO @UNESCOSantiago @Monumentos_cl @Chile_UNESCO @culturas_cl https://t.co/7OrZ3djXVc

Apr 1, 2024 · 1 like · 134 followers View post →
春田晴郎
@HarutaSeiro · X

RT @OyatsuMaster: #考古学のおやつ 3/3 ▶ Paloma Berenguer

Mar 25, 2024 · 2 shares · 1,686 followers View post →
青柳
@FBWM8888 · X

RT @OyatsuMaster: #考古学のおやつ 3/3 ▶ Paloma Berenguer

Mar 24, 2024 · 2 shares · 734 followers View post →
おやつMaster(考古学のおやつ)
@OyatsuMaster · X

#考古学のおやつ 3/3 ▶ Paloma Berenguer

Mar 24, 2024 · 4 likes · 2 shares · 4,241 followers View post →
Dan Richards The DeDunker aka SuperSexyD
@DeDunkingPast · X

The South American foods in Easter Island paper ain't behind a paywall. Good read too. https://t.co/lXllRNHB1t

Mar 23, 2024 · 4 likes · 25,195 followers View post →
Matt Piscitelli
@MatthewPiscite2 · X

RT @jens2go: Original study: P. Berenguer et al., Identification of #breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) and South American crops introduced d…

Mar 23, 2024 · 2 shares · 391 followers View post →
Jens Notroff
@jensnotroff.com · Bluesky

Mar 23, 2024 View post →
Jens Notroff
@jensnotroff.com · Bluesky

Original study: P. Berenguer et al., Identification of #breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) and South American crops introduced during early settlement of #RapaNui (#EasterIsland), as revealed through #starch analysis, @PLOSONE 19(3), 2024....

Mar 23, 2024 · 1 share View post →
Jens Notroff
@jens2go · X

Original study: P. Berenguer et al., Identification of #breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) and South American crops introduced during early settlement of #RapaNui (#EasterIsland), as revealed through #starch analysis, @PLOSONE 19(3), 2024.

Mar 23, 2024 · 7 likes · 2 shares · 18,822 followers View post →
Jens Notroff
@jensnotroff.com · Bluesky

Original study: P. Berenguer et al., Identification of #breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) and South American crops introduced during early settlement of #RapaNui ( #EasterIsland ), as revealed through #starch analysis, PLoS ONE 19(3), 2024.

Mar 23, 2024 · 3 likes · 2 shares View post →
Julio S. Bernal
@juliosbernal · X

#PLOSONE: Identification of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) and South American crops introduced during early ... https://t.co/d7y1VDvNUY

Mar 23, 2024 · 1 like · 412 followers View post →
airtonjo
@airtonjo · X

Identification of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) and South American crops introduced during early settlement of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), as revealed through starch analysis | PLOS ONE https://t.co/ZFs5YEW0gn

Mar 22, 2024 · 245 followers View post →
Mr Boo!-mble
@realmrpomble · X

RT @wrathofgnon: Physical evidence of pre-columbian oceanic contact with South America found on Easter Island: remains of American plants o…

Mar 22, 2024 · 2 shares · 556 followers View post →
Tristan S. Rapp
@Hieraaetus · X

RT @wrathofgnon: Physical evidence of pre-columbian oceanic contact with South America found on Easter Island: remains of American plants o…

Mar 22, 2024 · 2 shares · 24,783 followers View post →
Wrath Of Gnon
@wrathofgnon · X

Physical evidence of pre-columbian oceanic contact with South America found on Easter Island: remains of American plants on Oceanian obsidian tools. https://t.co/G4ar47R3Up https://t.co/XOlxhOtdN7

Mar 22, 2024 · 47 likes · 2 shares · 163,946 followers View post →
Kartik
@calm_sutra · X

RT @blog_supplement: More archaeological support for Thor Heyerdahl's theory of South American-Polynesian contact https://t.co/6i3g1pS3Hi

Mar 22, 2024 · 3 shares · 2,844 followers View post →
Biswajit
@parresianz · X

RT @blog_supplement: More archaeological support for Thor Heyerdahl's theory of South American-Polynesian contact https://t.co/6i3g1pS3Hi

Mar 22, 2024 · 3 shares · 579 followers View post →
V
@AgentSaffron · X

RT @blog_supplement: More archaeological support for Thor Heyerdahl's theory of South American-Polynesian contact https://t.co/6i3g1pS3Hi

Mar 21, 2024 · 3 shares · 57,756 followers View post →
manasataramgini
@blog_supplement · X

More archaeological support for Thor Heyerdahl's theory of South American-Polynesian contact https://t.co/6i3g1pS3Hi

Mar 21, 2024 · 9 likes · 3 shares · 18,819 followers View post →
Igor Pedroza
@pdrza · X

RT @DrDonPate: New archaeological research examining food residues on obsidian blades from Easter Island (Rapa Nui) suggests Polynesians ha…

Mar 21, 2024 · 3 shares · 883 followers View post →
Bioarchaeology Australia
@BioArchResearch · X

RT @DrDonPate: New archaeological research examining food residues on obsidian blades from Easter Island (Rapa Nui) suggests Polynesians ha…

Mar 21, 2024 · 3 shares · 399 followers View post →
Professor Don Pate
@DrDonPate · X

New archaeological research examining food residues on obsidian blades from Easter Island (Rapa Nui) suggests Polynesians had regular contact with South America as far back as 1000 years ago. Multiple maritime routes into the ancient Americas! https://t.co/EG8mJM1bXM

Mar 21, 2024 · 16 likes · 3 shares · 1,013 followers View post →
Jerome OLLIER https://jeromeollier.bsky.social/
@JeromeOLLIER · X

Identification of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) and South American crops introduced during early settlement of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), as revealed through starch analysis - @PLOSONE https://t.co/nRIYPul4dI

Mar 21, 2024 · 956 followers View post →
Ancient Hypotheses
@AncientEpoch · X

Source: https://t.co/zfjg1GagrI

Mar 21, 2024 · 1 like · 18,181 followers View post →
Kamil Kopij - @kkopij.bsky.social
@True_Q · X

A to ciekawe, że pojawiły się dowody na kontakty mieszkańców Rapa Nui z Ameryką Południową! https://t.co/SHELEs9TQA

Mar 21, 2024 · 7 likes · 735 followers View post →
fishy_chick
@fishy_chick · X

https://t.co/B0XH0KrcTV https://t.co/A1L5tNVlYr

Mar 20, 2024 · 1,588 followers View post →
Thomas - HANZ
@HistoryAotearoa · X

RT @RapanuiPioneers: New article shows evidence of breadfruit, ginger, June plum, and several south american starchy crops in early deposit…

Mar 20, 2024 · 3 shares · 2,629 followers View post →
Mary Jo Figuerero⭐️
@mjofiguerero · X

RT @RapanuiPioneers: New article shows evidence of breadfruit, ginger, June plum, and several south american starchy crops in early deposit…

Mar 20, 2024 · 3 shares · 2,109 followers View post →
Chris Harrod
@chris_harrod · X

RT @RapanuiPioneers: New article shows evidence of breadfruit, ginger, June plum, and several south american starchy crops in early deposit…

Mar 20, 2024 · 3 shares · 7,020 followers View post →
Moreno Pakarati
@crispakarati · X

Nuevo artículo con evidencia de fruto del pan, jengibre, ciruela, y varios tubérculos americanos en depósitos tempranos de #RapaNui, c. 1000-1300 DC. Hora de considerar seriamente la reescritura del asentamiento e historia agrícola de la isla. https://t.co/6ZBz04TqKK

Mar 20, 2024 · 5 likes · 5,948 followers View post →
Rapanui Pioneers Society
@RapanuiPioneers · X

New article shows evidence of breadfruit, ginger, June plum, and several south american starchy crops in early deposits of #RapaNui, c. 1000-1300 AD. Time to seriously consider a rewrite of the agricultural and settlement history of the island. https://t.co/WYO9zZxxqP

Mar 20, 2024 · 4 likes · 3 shares · 801 followers View post →