Abrupt onset of intensive human occupation 44,000 years ago on the threshold of Sahul

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48395-x
• Publication Date: 2024-05-22T10:01:57Z
• Authors: Ceri Shipton; Mike W. Morley; Shimona Kealy; Kasih Norman; Clara Boulanger; Stuart Hawkins; Mirani Litster; Caitlin Withnell; Sue O’Connor
• Keywords: Homo sapiens; Archipelago; Colonisation; Hominidae; Middle Stone Age; Human migration

Abstract Archaeological evidence attests multiple early dispersals of Homo sapiens out Africa, but genetic points to the primacy a single dispersal 70-40 ka. Laili in Timor-Leste is on southern route between Eurasia and Australasia has earliest record human occupation eastern Wallacean archipelago. New from site shows that, unusually region, sediment accumulated shelter without occupation, window 59–54 This was followed by an abrupt onset intensive habitation beginning ~44 The initial distinctive overlying layers aquatic focus faunal exploitation, while it similarities material culture other sites Wallacea. We suggest that at represents colonisation phase, which may have overwhelmed previous this part world.