archeologist seek evidence of the first modern humans in Indonesia have been looking in the untimely office , a new field claims . The topography and water system resource would have pushed the first migration north to Sulawesi and New Guinea , rather than south to Java and Timor as has previously been opine . Searching the neglect northern islands could reveal a scientific treasure trove .
We have evidence of human front in Australia dating back65,000 years , but we do n’t cognise how people catch there . The oldest signs of modern homo in South East Asia are 45,000 years honest-to-god . Could people have passed through those islands without leave a trace ?
One potential account is that our search have focus on Timor , Flores , and Java , which are think to defend the path taken to attain Australia .
However , Australian National University PhD studentShimona Kealytried to look at the paths from the linear perspective of those making the migration . Kealy observe that the earned run average ’s low sea spirit level meant it was potential to take the air between some New islands . More innovatively , she include access to fresh water , tracing the routes of rivers through these long - drowned coastal plain . Kealy also demand into report the abruptness of the slope traveller face and whether they could see the next island from the shore of the one they were leave .
In theJournal of Human Evolution , Kealy concludes the well-off ( or as she puts it “ low-toned toll ” ) path would have been to jaunt east from Sumatra – across what is now ocean , but was then the outskirts of Borneo – to Sulawesi . From there , the path would have run through many smaller island to New Guinea , a course dubbed the “ Northern Route ” .
“ This report … notice the bravery , innovation and marine technologies and science of these former New humans , " Kealy state in astatement .
Most of the first part of this path is submerged , hit the hunt for evidence heavily . However , Kealy narrate IFLScience she and her executive program are put to work on concession applications to seek caves on relevant island that might have appeal to the first comer . These could then become the objective for excavation team .
The oldest signs of humanity on this northern itinerary particular date back 30,000 year , far less than on Timor , but this may be for lack of look . “ I was quite astonished at how little work has been done ” investigating the Northern Route islands , Kealy said . “ I knew there had n’t been much , but almost none of them have had any searched at all . ” northerly Indonesia archaeology has look for pottery at what might have been village sites in the last few thousand years , rather than cave that could have been used 10 of thousand of years before .
This is likely to change soon , Kealy said . Indonesian university are train a newfangled focus on archeologic science , and Australian researcher are keen to fix the mix-up on their continent ’s settlement .
If Kealy ’s employment take to website humans inhabited 60 - 70,000 eld ago , it could show a scientific windfall , distinguish us much about our ancestors at the time and their impact on the ecosystems of different - sized islands . IfHomo erectusor relatives ofFlores ’s Hobbitspreceded modern humans at some of these locations , anything we learn about their interactions will be exceptionally precious .
Kealy severalise IFLScience the northerly path has been neglected because sites are less accessible and parts of it have been dangerously mentally ill . Once discovery were made on Timor and Flores , archaeologists go along returning to those places . Gradually , the approximation Australia was reach by the Southern Routegained favor , and choice neglected .
