News in Brief Genetics Early Polynesians didn’t go to Americas, chicken DNA hints Poultry genetics undermines claims of ancient cross-sea trips to South America By Tina Hesman Saey March 19, 2014 at 11:44 am - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print Ancient Polynesians probably didn’t reach the shores of South America, an analysis of ancient chicken DNA from islands dotting the Pacific suggests. Between about 3,400 and 700 years ago, Polynesians settled the islands of the Pacific, carrying plants and food animals with them.