Paper short abstract

In Island Southeast Asia, the ancient foundations of its "Nusantao" boat people is clear from pre-Neolithic material cultural exchange and westward gene dispersal. Neolithic Austronesian dispersal linked to sailing technology was a quantum step in the formation of Southeast Asia's sea nomads.

Paper long abstract

In Island Southeast Asia, the Neolithic was associated with new lifeways, such as settled hamlets, as well as the enhanced expression of earlier established lifeways. Chief among the latter is the capacity for maritime transport and exchange, particularly a feature of the islands of Wallacea with their long coastlines. Westward gene dispersal from Wallacea with the flooding of Sundaland and pre-Neolithic material cultural exchange across Wallacea identify its "Nusantao" (boat people) foundations as ancient. However, advanced sailing technology evidently associated with the dispersal of Malayo-Polynesian languages across Island Southeast Asia during the Neolithic represented a quantum step in the early formation of Southeast Asia's sea nomads.