Human dispersal and plant processing in the Pacific 55 000–50 000 years ago
Bibliographic Collection:
APE
Publication Type: Journal Article
Authors: Gaffney, Dylan; Tanudirjo, Daud A.; Djami, Erlin Novita Idje; Mas'ud, Zubair; Macap, Abdul Razak; Russell, Tristan; Dailom, Moses; Ray, Yulio; Higham, Thomas; Bradshaw, Fiona; Petchey, Fiona; Florin, S. Anna; Roberts, Patrick; Lucas, Mary; Tromp, Monica; Greig, Karen; Xhauflair, Hermine; Montenegro, Alvaro; Hall, Robert; Boulanger, Clara; Ono, Rintaro; Oertle, Annette; Scholz, Denis; Spitzer, Megan; Szabó, Katherine; Bertelli, Irene; Ribechini, Erika; Haberle, Simon
Year of Publication: 2024
Journal: Antiquity
Pagination: 1-20
Date Published: 2024
Publication Language: eng
ISBN Number: 0003-598X
Keywords: colonisation, Migration, Pleistocene, resin, Sahul, Wallacea
Abstract:
The dynamics of our species’ dispersal into the Pacific remains intensely debated. The authors present archaeological investigations in the Raja Ampat Islands, north-west of New Guinea, that provide the earliest known evidence for humans arriving in the Pacific more than 55 000–50 000 years ago. Seafaring simulations demonstrate that a northern equatorial route into New Guinea via the Raja Ampat Islands was a viable dispersal corridor to Sahul at this time. Analysis of faunal remains and a resin artefact further indicates that exploitation of both rainforest and marine resources, rather than a purely maritime specialisation, was important for the adaptive success of Pacific peoples.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2024.83
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