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Genomic evidence supports the "long chronology" for the peopling of Sahul

Abstract:
The timing of the settlement of Sahul-the Pleistocene landmass formed by present-day New Guinea, Australia, and Tasmania that existed until ~9000 years ago (~9 ka)-remains highly contentious. The so-called "long chronology" posits the first main arrivals at ~60 to 65 ka, whereas a "short chronology" proposes 47 to 51 ka. Here, we exhaustively analyze an unprecedentedly large mitogenome dataset (n = 2456) encompassing the full range of diversity from the indigenous populations of Australia, New Guinea, and Oceania, including a lineage related to those of New Guinea in an archaeological sample from Wallacea. We assess these lineages in the context of variation from Southeast Asia and a reevaluation of the mitogenome mutation rate, alongside genome-wide and Y-chromosome variation, and archaeological and climatological evidence. In contrast to recent recombinational dating approaches, we find support for the long chronology, suggesting settlement by ~60 ka via at least two distinct routes into Sahul.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1126/sciadv.ady9493

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Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0001-8930-8295
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Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0001-5923-6251
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Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-4096-9268


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Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/0472cxd90


Publisher:
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Journal:
Science Advances More from this journal
Volume:
11
Issue:
48
Pages:
eady9493
Publication date:
2025-11-28
Acceptance date:
2025-10-24
DOI:
EISSN:
2375-2548
ISSN:
2375-2548
Pmid:
41313774


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
2345523
UUID:
uuid_bee98a1b-10ec-44a5-a0e7-4dca2d5d6105
Local pid:
pubs:2345523
Source identifiers:
3540326
Deposit date:
2025-12-06
ARK identifier:
This ORA record was generated from metadata provided by an external service. It has not been edited by the ORA Team.

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