Global Patterns in Island Colonization during the Holocene

Journal of World Prehistory, vol. 35, pp. 163–232

Abstract

Abstract Analysis of the spatial and temporal structure of global island colonization allows us to frame the extent of insular human cultural diversity, model the impact of common environmental factors cross-culturally, and understand the contribution of island maritime societies to big historical processes. No such analysis has, however, been undertaken since the 1980s. In this paper we review and update global patterns in island colonization, synthesizing data from all the major island groups and theaters and undertaking quantitative and qualitative analysis of these data. We demonstrate the continued relevance of certain biogeographic and environmental factors in structuring how humans colonized islands during the Holocene. Our analysis also suggests the importance of other factors, some previously anticipated—such as culturally ingrained seafaring traditions and technological enhancement of dispersal capacity—but some not, such as the relationship between demographic growth and connectivity, differing trophic limitations impinging on colonizing farmers versus hunter-gatherer-foragers, and the constraining effects of latitude. We also connect colonization with continental dynamics: both the horizontal transmission of farming lifestyles earlier in the Holocene, and subsequent centrifugal processes associated with early state formation later in the Holocene.

Authors 7

1. Thomas P. Leppard corresponding

   Florida State University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Anthropology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA

2. Ethan E. Cochrane

   University of Auckland

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Social Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

3. Dylan Gaffney

   University of Cambridge · University of Oxford

   Affiliation as printed

   McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

   St John’s College, Oxford, UK

   St John's College, Oxford, UK

4. Corinne L. Hofman Aachen Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

5. Jason E. Laffoon Aachen Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

6. Magdalena M. E. Bunbury

   James Cook University

   Affiliation as printed

   ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, College of Arts, Society and Education, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia

7. Cyprian Broodbank corresponding

   University of Cambridge

   Affiliation as printed

   McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK