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Lu wrote:
> ... might it be possible that these Polynesians
> were simply blown to South America by a storm rather than deliberately
> voyaging there?

The navigationally interesting aspect of voyaging to the east from
established areas of Polynesia to South America is that it is uphill
all the way! Meaning that travelling due east from these tropical and
semi-tropical zones would involve sailing against the prevailing
south-east trade winds, and currents, for a considerable distance.
Some storm.

Remember that those who have sought to provide credence for contact
between South America and Polynesia, such as Thor Heyerdahl,
sailed/drifted west. They could hardly do otherwise.

Much further south, traditionally beyond 40 degrees of latitude, there
are prevailing westerly winds and currents, but that is a whole other
box of dice ... Feel free to suggest that the Polynesians, in their 60
foot double hulled vessels, deliberately sailed far enough south to
make their necessary easting. After all, they did something of the
sort in order to sail between the Polynesian heartland and Hawaii.

> ... just wondering about how far it is reasonable to extrapolate
> from a single chicken bone....

Not just the meat, Lu, ya gotta consider the veg as well! Remember
that the presence of Polynesian yams (of South East Asian origin) in
South America has long been a mystery.

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