New Zealand’s early human colonization has always stumped archaeologists. The island is located thousands of miles away from East Polynesia, but somehow colonists began arriving around 1200-1300 A.D. Without sophisticated sailing technology, how were these early settlers able to endure the 600-mile journey to New Zealand?

A wooden canoe recently discovered on the northwest side of New Zealand’s South Island provided the answer. Made of black pine, the canoe measured 20 feet long and dated back to 1400 A.D. Its surprisingly sophisticated design involved internal ribs and heavy caulking.

Dilys John, a senior researcher at the University of Auckland, stated that the canoe may have had a twin. The two hulls could have been lashed together and completed with sails and a deck. This contrasts with previous reports of primitive hollowed-out canoes used by the Maori people upon European arrival to the island centuries later.

The journey from the East Polynesian islands to New Zealand would have usually taken many months to sail thousands of miles. But due to different wind conditions during the late Middle Ages, trade winds would have allowed the settlers to complete the journey in only two weeks.

These wind patterns are known as the Medieval Climate Anomaly, and stretch from A.D. 800-1600. During this time period, there were 20-year periods where strong downwind conditions could have aided Maori settlers in discovering New Zealand.

The boat’s design indicates East Polynesian origin. There is a turtle carving, which is predominant in Polynesia but not in pre-European New Zealand. In traditional Polynesian society, turtles were regarded as representations of deities or humans, and held an important place in mythology.