WHAT IS MULTIPLE ORIGIN THEORY? - HISTORY - 2024

The theory of multiple origin or oceanic and multiracial theory is the theory that explains that Homo sapiens arrived in America from different migratory waves from different places such as Asia, Australia, Polynesia and Melanesia.

It is contrary to the theories that affirm that the origin of the American man was given by only a migratory wave from Asia or Africa. Also to other more drastic theories, such as Ameghini's theory which concludes that the origin occurred on the same continent due to evolution.

Paul Rivet, proposed this oceanic theory because the origin of the American Indians has always represented a question mark. In 1943, he published his book "The origins of the American man" and there he explains the linguistic, physical and cultural similarities that show the relationship that can exist between the peoples of both continents.

The multiple origin and migration of man to America according to Rivet

Rivet, in order to base his theory, was based on the similarities that existed between the peoples of the American continent and the peoples of the Old World.

Through research and discoveries, he realized that there is not much difference between the two sides of the planet. With this knowledge he developed the possibility of the multiple origin of American man.

1) Asian migrants

Paul Rivet believed in Asian migration, but unlike other theorists, he discerned in the fact which Asian groups migrated to the American continent.

Realizing that the Amerindians had no knowledge of the wheel, nor of the more advanced metals, he ruled out certain Asian groups who had no reason to emigrate. Furthermore, had they done so, these civilizations would have carried certain knowledge with them.

Neither Egyptians, nor Jews, nor Babylonians, nor Chinese, nor Japanese, nor Indians were responsible for the waves of migration to American territory.

The Asian emigration route was the Bering Strait, which in the period of the American population, was clear of water, so they could easily walk from Russia to Alaska.

Being covered with water, the strait disappeared, leaving these migrants isolated from the other side of the world. This was just one wave of the many that would come later.

2) Australian migrants

The Australian influence was only noticed in the extreme south of America. However, the theory states that although Australia's migration wave was less noticeable, this does not mean that it was less important.

The connection between migrants and American Indians can be seen most of all in the cultural aspect. A certain similarity was found between the skulls found in Australia and South America; This affirms a physical resemblance.

Two other factors that show the relationship between Americans and Australians are the tools used by the groups and the linguistic similarity between both regions.

The use of bark boats, the pattern of their huts, and even certain religious celebrations bore considerable resemblance to those of Australian origin.

Language presents the greatest evidence of influence. This is due to the linguistic group "with" to which the Ona and Patagones belong, more than 80 words showed the same roots as the Australian ones.

Example: The word blood in Australian is guara, while in con is wuar. Stone is duruk and in con is druka.

3) Polynesian migrants

Earth-dug ovens, ceremonial masks, and many spiritual beliefs are the links Rivet saw between the Maori of Polynesia and many people in South America. Mostly from the Quechua ethnic group.

Like the Melanesians, these migrants are believed to have reached the American continent by ocean and upon arrival spread their culture while expanding in America. The Polynesian language was also influential in the Quechua language

4) Melanesian migrants

Unlike the Australians, the Melanesians left their mark from North America to the South. Although it is not known for sure where the Australians arrived, nor if it was just one wave or more. In the case of the Melanesians, it is presumed that migration came in various waves and at different times.

The cultural, physical, linguistic aspects and even certain diseases are the proofs of the Melanesian influence in America.

The culture of certain Indo-American groups completely emulated that of Melanesia. These Indians used the slings and blowguns that they used in hunting and fishing.

The Lagoa-Santa group of Indians had skulls and a bone structure very similar to the heads of the Melanesians.

Various American tribes scattered from California to Colombia were part of the Hoka language group, each tribe forming and developing its own dialect over time.

However, all these dialects evolved from the same root, that is why they all had similarities to each other and in turn similar to the Melanesian language.

Example: The word fire in Melanesian was "there", while in Hoka it was "hai". Head was upoko and in hoka it was epok. The influence extends to more than 100 words.

The blood of the American Indians

This is the great and last factor that allowed Rivet to base his theory: The Rhesus factor. Human blood can be RH negative or positive and has different types. In European people type A predominates, however, in Americans type O predominates.

O blood is equally predominant in Asia and Oceania. This could happen by coincidence, but the Rhesus factor comes into consideration.

RH positive blood with an appearance of 99% in American Indians, appears with the same frequency in Asians. This led many theorists to consider that the origin of the American man came directly from Asia.

Rivet managed to collect more data that although they confirm Asian migrations, they deny that they were exclusive in the American population.

Europeans have a positive Rhesus factor from 56% to 78% of the population. However, Asians, Polynesians, Melanesians and Australians have 99% occurrence of the positive RH factor; factor that occurs with the same frequency in America.

In this way, Rivet gave the key point in his theory that American men had oceanic influence in all their dispersal through the territory.

References

1. Rivet, P. (1943) "The origins of the American man" Mexico City, American Notebook Edition.
2. Salazar, A (2016) "The man in America". Investigative project. Arturo Michelena University.
3. Dalles, P (2012) "Theories about the origin of the American settlement" Retrieved on July 08, 2017 from abc.com.py