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New study rewrites theory of how first humans arrived in Australia
Humans from Southeast Asia likely used New Guinea rather than Timor Island as stepping stone to Australia
Vishwam Sankaran
16 hours ago
Archaeologists have unearthed stone artefacts and animal bones in a deep cave on Timor Island in the Pacific, forcing a rethink of when and how ancient humans first migrated to Australia.
Timor Island has long been seen as a stepping stone for the first human migration between mainland Southeast Asia and Australia and New Guinea. But the new findings challenge this theory.
Researchers dated and analysed the artefacts and sediments from the Laili rock shelter in Timor-Leste, north of Australia, to pinpoint the first arrival of humans in the region.
The Laili rock shelter, unlike other sites in the region, preserved deep sediments dating 59,000 to 54,000 years ago that showed no clear signs of human occupation.
More:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/australia-timor-islands-pacific-first-humans-b2550131.html