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When did Homo sapiens first reach Southeast Asia and Sahul?


ABSTRACT: Anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens, AMH) began spreading across Eurasia from Africa and adjacent Southwest Asia about 50,000-55,000 years ago (ca 50-55 ka). Some have argued that human genetic, fossil, and archaeological data indicate one or more prior dispersals, possibly as early as 120 ka. A recently reported age estimate of 65 ka for Madjedbebe, an archaeological site in northern Sahul (Pleistocene Australia-New Guinea), if correct, offers what might be the strongest support yet presented for a pre-55-ka African AMH exodus. We review evidence for AMH arrival on an arc spanning South China through Sahul and then evaluate data from Madjedbebe. We find that an age estimate of >50 ka for this site is unlikely to be valid. While AMH may have moved far beyond Africa well before 50-55 ka, data from the region of interest offered in support of this idea are not compelling.

SUBMITTER: O'Connell JF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6112744 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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When did <i>Homo sapiens</i> first reach Southeast Asia and Sahul?

O'Connell James F JF   Allen Jim J   Williams Martin A J MAJ   Williams Alan N AN   Turney Chris S M CSM   Spooner Nigel A NA   Kamminga Johan J   Brown Graham G   Cooper Alan A  

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20180806 34


Anatomically modern humans (<i>Homo sapiens</i>, AMH) began spreading across Eurasia from Africa and adjacent Southwest Asia about 50,000-55,000 years ago (<i>ca</i> 50-55 ka). Some have argued that human genetic, fossil, and archaeological data indicate one or more prior dispersals, possibly as early as 120 ka. A recently reported age estimate of 65 ka for Madjedbebe, an archaeological site in northern Sahul (Pleistocene Australia-New Guinea), if correct, offers what might be the strongest supp  ...[more]

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