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Pages through History

Sea People--The Puzzle of Polynesia

When European seafarers began to cross the vast reaches of the Pacific Ocean in the 17th and 18th centuries, they found something that astounded them: people.

People on nearly every island where humans could live. People who had clearly been there for a long time. People who, despite their isolation, had at least some awareness of lands many weeks’ sailing away.

Who were they?

Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia by Christina Thompson is a book about the knowledge encoded in myths and chants and DNA molecules. It’s about the false knowledge of “race science,” and the living knowledge that in recent years has allowed people to recreate the epic voyages of their ancestors.

Find Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia in the library catalog.

This is a hybrid event with the option to participate in person or on Zoom. Online participants will receive the Zoom link in their confirmation email.

If you have questions about this event after registration has closed, please email the events team or call the library at 847-673-7774.

Limited to 24 in-person participants.

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