BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION: NEW APPROACHES TO AGE-OLD QUESTIONS

Authors

  • Angela L Clark Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, PO Box 647, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
  • Charlotte L King Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
  • Hallie R Buckley Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
  • Catherine J Collins Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
  • Neha Dhavale Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
  • Gail E Elliott Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
  • Anna Gosling Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, Edward H. Levi Hall, 5801 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
  • Siân E Halcrow Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
  • Bradley Ivory The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
  • Elizabeth Matisoo-Smith Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
  • S Kate McDonald Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
  • Christina Stantis Department of Archaeology, Anthropology and Forensic Science Bournemouth University, Poole, BH12 5BB, United Kingdom
  • Monica Tromp Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Department of Archaeology, Kahlaische Strasse 10, D-07745 Jena, Germany
  • Stacey Ward Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
  • Katrina West Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7152/jipa.v41i0.15021

Abstract

Biological anthropological research, the study of both modern and past humans, is a burgeoning field in the Indo-Pacific region. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the unique environments of the Indo-Pacific have resulted in an archaeological record that does not necessarily align with those in the northern hemisphere. New, regionally-specific archaeological models are being developed, and biological anthropological research has an important role to play in establishing past human experience within these models. In the Indo-Pacific, research using ancient and modern human tissues is adding insight into global processes of prehistoric settlement and migrations, subsistence change and human biosocial adaptation. This review synthesises current themes in biological anthropology in this region. It highlights the diverse methods and approaches used by biological anthropologists to address globally-relevant archaeological questions. In recent decades a collaborative approach between archaeologists, biological anthropologists and local communities has become the norm in the region. The many positive outcomes of this multi-disciplinary approach are highlighted here through the use of regionally-specific case studies. This review ultimately aims to stimulate further collaborations between archaeologists, biological anthropologists and the communities in the region, and demonstrate how the evidence from Indo-Pacific research may be relevant to global archaeological models. 

Author Biography

Angela L Clark, Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, PO Box 647, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand

Lecturer, Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, PO Box 647, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand

Affiliate Researcher, Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand

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Published

2017-10-03

Issue

Vol. 41 (2017)

Section

Articles

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