Language continuity despite population replacement in Remote Oceania
Posth C, Nägele K, Colleran H et al.
Publication Details
Comprehensive information about this research publication
Abstract
Summary of the research findings
Recent genomic analyses show that the earliest peoples reaching Remote Oceania-associated with Austronesian-speaking Lapita culture-were almost completely East Asian, without detectable Papuan ancestry. However, Papuan-related genetic ancestry is found across present-day Pacific populations, indicating that peoples from Near Oceania have played a significant, but largely unknown, ancestral role. Here, new genome-wide data from 19 ancient South Pacific individuals provide direct evidence of a so-far undescribed Papuan expansion into Remote Oceania starting ~2,500 yr BP, far earlier than previously estimated and supporting a model from historical linguistics. New genome-wide data from 27 contemporary ni-Vanuatu demonstrate a subsequent and almost complete replacement of Lapita-Austronesian by Near Oceanian ancestry. Despite this massive demographic change, incoming Papuan languages did not replace Austronesian languages. Population replacement with language continuity is extremely rare-if not unprecedented-in human history. Our analyses show that rather than one large-scale event, the process was incremental and complex, with repeated migrations and sex-biased admixture with peoples from the Bismarck Archipelago.
Ancient DNA Samples
28 ancient DNA samples referenced in this publication
| Sample ID | Date/Era | Country | Locality | Sex | mtDNA | Y-DNA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAP002 | 1657 CE | French Polynesia | French Polynesia. Ra'iatea | M | B4a1a1m1 |
C-M38 |
| TAP004 | 1645 CE | French Polynesia | French Polynesia. Ra'iatea | M | B4a1a1-c |
C-M38 |
| TAP002 | 1657 CE | French Polynesia | French Polynesia. Ra'iatea | M | B4a1a1m1 |
C-M38 |
| TAP004 | 1645 CE | French Polynesia | French Polynesia. Ra'iatea | M | B4a1a1-c |
C-M38 |
| TAP003 | 1508 CE | French Polynesia | French Polynesia. Ra'iatea | M | B4a1a1c |
C-M38 |
| MAI002 | 1431 CE | Solomon Islands | Malaita | F | B4a1a1a |
|
| MAI002 | 1431 CE | Solomon Islands | Malaita | F | B4a1a1a |
|
| TON001 | 850 BCE | Tonga | Talasiu site. Tongatapu | F | B4a1a1a |
|
| TON002 | 850 BCE | Tonga | Talasiu site. Tongatapu | M | B4a1a1 |
O-F157 |
| TON001 | 850 BCE | Tonga | Talasiu site. Tongatapu | F | B4a1a1a |
|
| TON002 | 850 BCE | Tonga | Talasiu site. Tongatapu | M | B4a1a1 |
O-F157 |
| LHA001 | 1034 CE | Tonga | Tongatapu | F | B4a1a1 |
|
| FUT001 | 688 CE | Vanuatu | Futuna | F | P1d2a |
|
| MAL001 | 399 BCE | Vanuatu | Malakula | F | B4a1a1 |
|
| MAL006 | 811 BCE | Vanuatu | Malakula | F | B4a1a1a11 |
|
| MAL008 | 399 BCE | Vanuatu | Malakula | F | B4a1a1a |
|
| FUT001 | 688 CE | Vanuatu | Futuna | F | P1d2a |
|
| FUT002 | 651 CE | Vanuatu | Futuna | F | M28b1 |
|
| FUT006 | 680 CE | Vanuatu | Futuna | M | P1d2a |
S-M230 |
| FUT007 | 681 CE | Vanuatu | Futuna | M | M28b1 |
S-P315 |
| MAL007 | 163 BCE | Vanuatu | Malakula | F | B4a1a1a |
|
| MAL001 | 399 BCE | Vanuatu | Malakula | F | B4a1a1 |
|
| MAL008 | 399 BCE | Vanuatu | Malakula | F | B4a1a1a |
|
| MAL002 | 755 BCE | Vanuatu | Malakula | F | B4a1a1a |
|
| TAN002 | 680 BCE | Vanuatu | Tanna | M | Q2a |
M-M5 |
| MAL004 | 772 BCE | Vanuatu | Malakula | M | B4a1a1a |
M-M5 |
| MAL006 | 811 BCE | Vanuatu | Malakula | F | B4a1a1a11 |
|
| TAN001 | 1661 CE | Vanuatu | Tanna | M | P1d1 |
O-F15980 |
Analysis
Comprehensive review of ancestry and genetic findings
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