"Obsidian Blades with Plant Material Suggest Rapa Nui Settlers' South American Voyage"

Archaeologists studying obsidian blades on Rapa Nui have found plant material suggesting that early settlers from the island visited South America and returned, possibly multiple times. Analysis of the plant material revealed the presence of South American crops such as cassava, sweet potato, and achira, as well as Tahitian apple and breadfruit, which do not naturally grow on Rapa Nui. This discovery supports the idea that the settlers made voyages to South America and brought back food that was then cultivated on the island.