Early Modern Human Migration into Wallacea – A Case of Topogaro Complex in Central Sulawesi

Rintaro Ono1*, Syaharuddin Manssyur2, Marlon Ririmasse2, Nasrullah Azis3, Sriwigati3, Hasanuddin2, Supridai4, Takuya Yamaoka5, Yoshiro Ishihara6, and Masaki Fujita7

Maritime migration and island adaptation by anatomically modern humans (AMH) are among the most significant current issues in Southeast Asian archaeology and directly related to their behavioral and technological advancement. In the center of this research hotspot are the Wallacean islands, situated between the Pleistocene landmasses of Sunda and Sahul. Two major migration routes have been suggested for the initial maritime migration from Sunda via Wallacea into Sahul, a northern route into the region of New Guinea and a southern route leading into northern Australia. Here, we report the outcomes of new archaeological research in Central Sulawesi, the most likely entry location for the northern route. Recent studies of rock-art in Sulawesi and Muna Island by laser-ablation U-series dating indicate possible early modern human migration into the northern route can be back to over 50-65 ka, but there is no other solid archaeological evidence to support these ages yet. Based on our latest findings and new C14 dates and artifacts from Goa Topogaro 2, we discuss the evidence and timeline for the migration of early modern humans into the Wallacean islands and their adaptation to insular environments during the Late Pleistocene.