Ancient DNA and its contribution to understanding the human history of the Pacific Islands

Abstract

Two recent papers, by Lipson et al. and Posth et al., have challenged current interpretations of the initial settlement of Remote Oceania. We invited Stuart Bedford, who is an author on both papers, to outline their importance, and a number of scholars in various disciplines to comment on their findings. RÉSUMÉ Deux articles récents, par Lipson et al. et Posth et al., ont contesté les interprétations actuelles de la colonisation initiale de l'Océanie lointaine. Nous avons invité Stuart Bedford, qui a contribué aux deux publications,à discuter de leur importance, et un nombre de savants de diverses disciplinesà commenter ces découvertes.

Response to “Ancient DNA and its contribution to understanding the human history of the Pacific Islands” (Bedfordet al. 2018)

“…While we certainly think there is far more yet to be done in this regard, we fully agree with Kirch that our approach can “enrich our understanding of the processes involved” (Bedford et al . ). We are surprised at Sheppard's claim that linkages between genetic and linguistic population history are merely “hypotheses … virtually untestable and so fairly useless” (Bedford et al .…”

“…We are surprised at Sheppard's claim that linkages between genetic and linguistic population history are merely “hypotheses … virtually untestable and so fairly useless” (Bedford et al . ). It is precisely the apparent “mismatch” between genetic and linguistic ancestries evident in Vanuatu – and elsewhere in Island Melanesia – that necessitates a multidisciplinary explanation.…”

“…Indeed, our study was in part inspired by a historical linguistic hypothesis (Blust ), under which the history of the Oceanic‐speaking peoples of Remote Oceania involves “two (or more) migrations by biologically, culturally and probably linguistically distinct populations” – as Blust writes (in Bedford et al . ). Our genetic analyses concluded that the demographic changes in Vanuatu were a complex, drawn‐out process – a model that Blust says “could hardly provide a better match” for this hypothesis.…”

“…We are pleased that our work generated the discussion by Bedford and colleagues (Bedford et al . ) and are grateful for the opportunity to provide this response. Below, we aim to address the wide‐range of interesting, encouraging and challenging comments on our paper – some of which elide it with that of Lipson et al .…”

Revisiting ancient DNA insights into the human history of the Pacific Islands

“…We were glad to see the serious attention to the recent studies of ancient DNA from Remote Oceania in the Forum in Archaeology in Oceania (Bedford et al . , henceforth “Forum”). Most of the contributors were highly positive about the value of the studies.…”