Melanesian DNA has been found in numerous populations in the Americas. Melanesians are the dark-skinned people of the south Pacific Islands, and the term sometimes includes Aboriginal Australians. “Melanesia” means, “place of Black people.”
Of course, Melanesia was once considered part of Polynesia, and both terms were given by Europeans. Melanesians are usually considered darker than Polynesians, in old photos and earlier engravings, Polynesians appear with dark skin and heads of 4C hair, much like Black Americans.
The so-called “Afro” hairstyle originated in Fiji, in Melanesia.
Polynesians, which includes Native Hawaiians, and Maori from New Zealand, still maintain their reputation as great seafarers. They have clearly earned that reputation by travelling across the Pacific many times.
But the Melanesians have also crossed the sea. Solomon Islanders sail regularly between the islands of their own country. Melanesian DNA is found among Polynesians, suggesting common ancestry.
Melanesian paternal DNA has also turned up among Indigenous communities in the Amazon and the Pacific coast of South America. They may also be ancestors of the South Americans who north into the Caribbean.
The Melanesians got around.
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