Ancient Excavations: First Americans May Have Originated in Hokkaido

A groundbreaking theory has emerged from a collaborative research effort involving Japanese and U.S. scholars, proposing that the very first Homo sapiens to journey into the Americas may have originated from regions we now know as Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands. This intriguing hypothesis sheds new light on the origins of the first Americans and challenges previously held beliefs.

For many years, it was widely assumed that the initial inhabitants of the Americas were descendants of groups migrating from Beringia, a land bridge connecting Siberia and Alaska. However, recent archaeological findings suggest a more complex narrative. The research team, which includes members from Tokyo Metropolitan University and Tohoku University, has identified striking similarities between ancient tools found at North American archaeological sites and those unearthed in Hokkaido.

Published in the journal Science Advances, the researchers argue that their findings point to the Hokkaido-Sakhalin-Kuril area as a significant source for the first Americans. Their research relies on previously inaccessible data that indicates a rich interplay of technological similarities. Notably, ten Upper Paleolithic sites on the North American mainland, dating from 18,000 to 13,500 years ago, reveal stone tools that bear a remarkable resemblance to lithic technology discovered in Northeast Asia.

This specific style of projectile point—characterized by an elliptical contour, pointed head, and sharp blade edges—was designed for enhanced piercing power and durability, making it an effective tool for hunting. Interestingly, such tools have been found in the Hokkaido-Sakhalin-Kuril region dating back around 20,000 years, far earlier than similar tools discovered at Beringian sites, which are only about 14,000 years old. This suggests a transfer of technology from Northeast Asia to the Americas.

As this hypothesis gains traction, it raises critical questions regarding the migration route. During the last glacial period, when ice sheets loomed large and the climate was brutally cold, Beringia was inhospitable, functioning more as a polar desert than a viable migration path. Meanwhile, the Hokkaido-Sakhalin-Kuril region is thought to have been a peninsula extending from the Amur River’s mouth, likely offering more favorable conditions for early humans.

The evidence suggests that the seafaring skills of populations living in the Japanese islands could have played a significant role in ancient migrations. Archaeological sites from Okinawa and Kagoshima, dating between 35,000 and 30,000 years ago, support the idea that coastal navigation was within the capabilities of these early humans. It’s plausible that part of the population migrated along a circum-Pacific coastal route into North America, utilizing boats for some segments of the journey over millennia.

An important aspect of these findings is the population dynamics. The research suggests that the group ancestral to the first Americans likely experienced 4,000 to 5,000 years of geographical isolation and population decline before their eventual migration to the American continent, which may have occurred around 20,000 years ago or later. The so-called Jomon people, recognized as one of the progenitor groups for today’s Japanese, are believed to have arrived in Hokkaido only about 10,000 years ago, underscoring the distinct timeline of these early inhabitants.

According to Masami Izuho, an associate professor of archaeology at Tokyo Metropolitan University and a member of the research team, previous discussions surrounding the archaeological findings in Japan have often focused on local implications rather than their broader significance in human history. The current study proposes a shift in perspective, suggesting that the spread of Homo sapiens from the Hokkaido-Sakhalin-Kuril area into North America marks a pivotal moment in the global narrative of human migration.

Rintaro Ono, a professor of maritime archaeology, emphasizes the significance of what has been referred to as the “kelp highway” hypothesis. This theory posits that early Homo sapiens were more likely to traverse coastal pathways than to navigate the harsh and frigid inland terrains. This research pushes the discussion forward, offering new insights supported by detailed lithic analyses and reinforcing the notion that ancient migrating populations likely originated in regions such as Hokkaido and Sakhalin.

Ultimately, this fascinating exploration into human migration suggests that ancient populations adapted technologically and behaviorally in response to their environments, facilitating their interactions with both island and continental communities. The implications of these findings not only reshape our understanding of human history but also highlight the sophisticated nature of early human migration and adaptation strategies as they ventured into new territories.

The full details of this compelling research can be accessed in the published paper at Science Advances.