Ref ID:	37566
Ref 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 Szabo, Katherine Bertelli, Irene Ribechini, Erika Haberle, Simon
Title:	Human dispersal and plant processing in the Pacific 55 000–50 000 years ago
Date:	2024
Source:	Antiquity
DOI:	10.15184/aqy.2024.83
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.
Volume:	98
Number:	400
Page Start:	885
Page End:	904