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Modeling seagoing migration of early Homo via paleoclimate drift experiments to Sulawesi, Indonesia

Thibault, Mary Grace
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1555500422012595

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Atmospheric Sciences.
Lithic tools found recently at Talepu, Sulawesi, in Wallacea suggest that an unknown hominin occupied Sulawesi within a securely dated interval of ~118-194 ka, though colonization likely occurred before 200 ka (van den Bergh et al. 2016a). The Philippines, Borneo, and Flores were identified by van den Bergh et al. (2016a) as possible sources of the colonizing hominin. ~118-194 ka saw great variation in sea level in Wallacea, with the Sunda shelf exposed at low sea level and with land extent comparable to that of the present day at high sea level. To determine which of these regions was the most likely origin point for hominin dispersal to Sulawesi, a series of 30-day drift experiments were conducted to determine ease of access from these locations to Sulawesi. The BRAN3 reanalysis (Oke et al. 2013) was used to simulate wind and current conditions at high sea level. Three paleoclimate models, the CNRM-CM5 (Voldaire et al. 2013), the IPSL-CM5A (Dufresne et al. 2013), and the MIROC-ESM (Sueyoshi et al. 2013) were used to calculate wind and current anomalies for the Last Glacial Maximum (~21 ka), which was used as a climate proxy for low sea level at ~140 ka. Drifters were released from multiple locations within the three possible source regions, and probabilities of success and trip durations of direct hits as well as island-hops to Sulawesi were calculated. Results indicated that direct-hit drifts originating in the Philippines would have lasted anywhere from 12-30 days, which is lengthy assuming accidental drift with unprepared hominins. The Banda Arc saw mixed results from both high sea level and low sea level models, meaning that it cannot be ruled out as a potential source region. Borneo, however, saw great success both for direct hits and island hops to Sulawesi at both high and low sea level stands. Minimum trip durations from Borneo to Sulawesi were found to be faster at low sea level than at high sea level, as well. Thus, given the well-documented presence of Homo erectus on Java, and by virtue of low sea level causing connection of Java to Borneo (Robles 2013: 32), the experimental results suggest that Borneo is a well-positioned candidate for being the hominin source region for Sulawesi.
Alvaro Montenegro (Advisor)
Julie Field (Committee Member)
Bryan Mark (Committee Member)
385 p.
Archaeology; Atmospheric Sciences; Climate Change
paleoclimate; drift modeling; migration; voyaging; Homo erectus; Homo floresiensis; Denisovans

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Thibault, M. G. (2019). Modeling seagoing migration of early Homo via paleoclimate drift experiments to Sulawesi, Indonesia [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1555500422012595

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Thibault, Mary. Modeling seagoing migration of early Homo via paleoclimate drift experiments to Sulawesi, Indonesia. 2019. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1555500422012595.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Thibault, Mary. "Modeling seagoing migration of early Homo via paleoclimate drift experiments to Sulawesi, Indonesia." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1555500422012595

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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