A recent study by the Australian National University (ANU) reveals evidence of human presence in southeastern Indonesia around 42,000 years ago. The discovery of fossils in the Tanimbar Islands provides new insights into early human migration routes in the archipelago, particularly in the eastern region. This research has been published in Quaternary Science Reviews.
In the study, Hendri Kaharudin, the lead author and a Ph.D. candidate at ANU, highlights the significance of the discovery site in Elivavan, Tanimbar Islands.
The Tanimbar Islands, located at the eastern end of southern Wallacea, hold a unique geographical position. Although close to the Sahul continental shelf, which includes Australia and Papua New Guinea, these islands have been isolated by deep seas for a very long time, even before humans first set foot in Wallacea. This isolation makes Tanimbar an intriguing natural laboratory for studying evolutionary processes and species dispersal, including humans, in the region.
Despite its strategic importance in understanding early human migration from Southeast Asia to Australasia, the Tanimbar Islands have been relatively under-researched compared to neighboring islands like Halmahera or Timor.
Questions about how our ancestors managed to reach remote islands like Tanimbar, involving long-distance voyaging and advanced maritime technology for that era, remain one of the most fascinating mysteries in the study of prehistoric human migration. Since the mid-20th century, experts have proposed two main migration routes: through the north, via Sulawesi, or through the south, via Timor and Tanimbar.
The discovery of human fossils in Elivavan, Tanimbar Islands, has revealed some of the oldest evidence of human migration through the southern route to Australasia. This finding not only uncovers a more complex history of human migration but also demonstrates the advanced maritime technology possessed by ancient humans around 42,000 years ago.
They undertook long-distance sea voyages to reach these islands, covering distances of over 100 kilometers. Archaeological evidence, such as pottery and marine food remains, indicates that Elivavan was a significant center of maritime activity.
This supports the view that the colonization of regions like Sahul was not a one-time event but a gradual process involving multiple waves of migration. With more research in less-explored areas, it is hoped that more secrets about the lives and journeys of ancient humans will be uncovered.
