Humans reached New Zealand no earlier than 1280 AD, much later than previously indicated, according to researchers.
Radiocarbon dating of the bones of Pacific rat, kiore, suggests the first Maori settlers arrived no earlier than that date, Radio New Zealand reported on Tuesday.
Previous dating of rat bones had suggested that human contact took place about 200 BC.
Project leader Janet Wilmshurst, from Landcare Research, said the rats must have come with people on board canoes because they cannot swim far.
Wilmshurst said the findings are supported by evidence such as rat-gnawed seeds, archaeological sites and Maori whakapapa.
The technique will be used in other countries in the Pacific to establish human settlement there accurately, she added.
Source:Xinhua
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