Unraveling the Origins and Dispersal of Austronesian Culture by the last deglacial sea-level rises and paleoenvironmental changes: Insights from the Taiwan Strait

The Austronesian population, which consists of approximately 0.4 billion people, is widely spread across the Pacific and Indian Ocean islands. Extensive research over several decades has led to an academic consensus that the Austronesian population originated from Taiwan and the southeastern coast of mainland China. However, the exact manner in which the Austronesian ancestors arrived in Taiwan and subsequently dispersed to other oceanic regions remains a mystery. By analyzing the last deglacial sea-level rise, neotectonic activities, and resulting ancient environmental changes, as well as comparing the characteristics of middle Neolithic remains (dating back approximately 7.4-4ka) between the Taiwan Strait, we have proposed the existence of a “proto-Austronesian culture” in the early Holocene (around 11.7ka~7.4ka). This culture was centered around the nearshore area of the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan Shoal region. As sea levels gradually rose, the Austronesian ancestors’ habitat became increasingly submerged, compelling them to retreat to the inshore highlands on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The Austronesian relics discovered on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, such as Dabenken, Keqiutou, and Fuguodun, among others, are actually branches of the Austronesian ancestors, inheriting their marine ecological characteristics. The scarcity of Neolithic artifacts older than 7.4ka on both sides of the Taiwan Strait can be attributed to a “survivor bias” phenomenon. It is plausible that numerous early Holocene relics of the “proto-Austronesian culture” remain submerged in the nearshore area of the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan Shoal, eagerly awaiting discovery through submarine archaeological exploration.