More details have emerged about the techniques used by University of Auckland researchers in a recent study whose results backed earlier findings that Pacific settlers originated from Taiwan, traveling down south to the Philippines and on to Hawaii around 5,000 years ago.
Geneticists, biologists and linguists teamed up to provide further evidence that unravels one of the great mysteries of human migration. In a paper published this month in the journal Science, the researchers wrote of the fantastic sea voyages aboard primitive sailing craft from Taiwan.
The evidence came in large part from the DNA of Helicobacter pylori, a parasite that lives in the human gastrointestinal tract.
Molecular biologist Mark Achtman said that H. pylori was well established in the human gut when the first people left Africa about 60,000 years ago.
As each small band of explorers left the main group to go its own way — over periods of thousands of years — the DNA of H. pylori developed tiny changes that were passed from generation to generation, leaving their own distinct pattern of genetic mutation.
By taking gastric biopsies and mucus samples from the modern day Aborigines of Taiwan, the scientists found that their particular strain of H. pylori DNA came from what is known as the hspMaori family.
The researchers were able to trace and follow the exact same strain of DNA right through the peoples of the South Pacific, proving that the migration originated in Taiwan.
Peoples with another strain of H. pylori DNA — known as hpSahul — populated New Guinea and Australia more than 30,000 years ago from uncertain origins.
“Our results lend support for two distinct waves of migration into the Pacific. First, early migration to New Guinea and Australia accompanied by hpSahul and second, a much later dispersal of hspMaori from Taiwan through the Pacific by the Malayo-Polynesian-speaking Lapita culture,” the report said.
Among the scientists directly involved in the studies was Wu Jeng-yih (吳政毅) of Kaohsiung Medical University.
The Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Wanda-Zhonghe Line is 81.7 percent complete, with public opening targeted for the end of 2027, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) said today. Surrounding roads are to be open to the public by the end of next year, Hou said during an inspection of construction progress. The 9.5km line, featuring nine underground stations and one depot, is expected to connect Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station to Chukuang Station in New Taipei City’s Jhonghe District (中和). All 18 tunnels for the line are complete, while the main structures of the stations and depot are mostly finished, he
Taipei is to implement widespread road closures around Taipei 101 on Friday to make way for large crowds during the Double Ten National Day celebration, the Taipei Department of Transportation said. A four-minute fireworks display is to be launched from the skyscraper, along with a performance by 500 drones flying in formation above the nearby Nanshan A21 site, starting at 10pm. Vehicle restrictions would occur in phases, they said. From 5pm to 9pm, inner lanes of Songshou Road between Taipei City Hall and Taipei 101 are to be closed, with only the outer lanes remaining open. Between 9pm and 9:40pm, the section is
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday hosted a reception to celebrate Double Ten National Day. Conservative Canadian lawmaker Marc Dalton called Taiwan a “beacon of courage and resilience in the face of rising authoritarianism,” according to a post on the Taiwan in Vancouver Facebook page. Also in attendance were fellow conservative caucus members Tako Van Popta and Chak Au, who said that Taiwan plays an “indispensable role” in ensuring global peace, prosperity and stability due to its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region, it said. Canadian lawmaker Michael Cooper also recorded a message wishing Taiwan a
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