Hominin diversity in the western Indonesian archipelago during the Quaternary : a dental record perspective

A dental fossil analysis of hominin diversity in the western Indonesian archipelago reveals six distinct groups, suggesting complex evolutionary and genetic interactions during the Quaternary. The study distinguishes between early hominines like 'Meganthropus' (group 1) and later forms such as 'Homo wajakensis' (group 4), with evidence of biological continuity from the Lower to Middle Pleistocene but possible discontinuity with group 1. Notably, teeth from Zhoukoudian in continental Asia were grouped with Southeast Asian hominines, implying genetic contact between these regions during the Middle Pleistocene. Later groups (5 and 6) show signs of adaptation to insular environments and potential new arrivals from mainland Asia, aligning with Austronesian and Austroasiatic dispersals.

Noerwidi, S. Hominin diversity in the western Indonesian archipelago during the Quaternary : a dental record perspective. https://doi.org/10.70675/9f0d9154z7719z42fcz8fa1zde083a3f6ac6