Around 6,000 years ago Taiwan was settle down byAustronesians , who brought with them Neolithic technology and still make up around 2 percent of the island ’s population . However , 15 of the 16 Austronesian groups on the island have storey of lowly , dark people already dwell in the island ’s wood and perhaps survive alongside the Austronesians until quite late . The discovery of a skull support the tales and helps put the turn a loss citizenry in the human family Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The presence of gemstone tools , some of them dating back 30,000 age , proved the Austronesians ’ stories were not just the equivalent of European myths of fairies or elves . However , until now scientist had no way of know anything about these first inhabitants .
The discovery of a skull and fond systema skeletale in the Xiaoma Caves on Taiwan ’s east coast changes that . InWorld Archaeology , Dr Hsiao - chun Hungof the Australian National University explore what the remains of one individual can state us .
The Xiaoma skull seen from all angles. 13 measurements were used to compare it with skulls from other populations. Image Credit: Hirofumi Matsumura
Austronesian groups held wide differing aspect of the masses they lived beside . Many describe them in unfriendly price and have story of fighting . However , at least four groups tell tale of intermarrying with the so - called “ little black multitude ” and one group , the Saisiyat continue tohold ceremoniesin laurels of those they call the Ta’ai , who they consider their teacher .
wide-ranging as these attitude are , all the radical have vulgar forcible verbal description of hoi polloi with dark skin , small consistence sizes , and crisp hair experience in the forested mountains , often in cave .
The skull find oneself at Xiaoma is reproducible with those accounts . It was in a layer just about 5,900 years one-time , around the time the Austronesians were arrive . However , its feature make it clear it belonged to someone with a different heritage .
The skull and parts of the skeleton in their original location and stone tools from the same layer of Cave number 5 Xiaoma. Image Credit: Hung et al/World Archaeology
Not only is the skull modest , but 13 measuring of its shape most closely agree those of theNegrito peopleof the Philippines , followed by those of the Andaman Islands . During the Ice Age , Taiwan was connected to both the mainland and the Philippines and people in all likelihood arrived on foundation . “ So far , though , no site in Taiwan has been date between 15,000 and 6,600 years ago , ” Hung told IFLScience , make up it potential the Xiaoma citizenry ’s ancestors arrived by boat on an island whose original inhabitants were die .
The authors conclude the bone belong to a female , who was buried in a squatting position found in hunter - gatherer Robert Graves in southern China and Southeast Asia , strengthening the connexion .
Hung told IFLScience that although Taiwan ’s pre - Neolithic population density was probably low , “ The rarity of determination of human rest from this period has been a reflection of the rarity of the conservation in ancient sites after so many thousands of years . ” She attributes this in the main to the climate . Hung added archeologist have not looked firmly for elder sepulture sites , and go for to correct this .
Map of Taiwan, showing the Xiaoma Caves where the skull was found and other important cave complexes. Image Credit: Australian National University
Hung say IFLScience that around 7,000 year ago flake tool that resemble those used by huntsman - accumulator elsewhere in South - East Asia arrive in Taiwan , perchance through contact with fisherman from Luzon . The Taiwanese version are smaller and do good from the high - quality stone available .
theme from the Qing indicate the original inhabitant were surviving as a discrete hoi polloi until two centuries ago . Even today they may not be entirely drop off . inherited psychoanalyst have contacted Hung and told her they believe there is grounds for their deoxyribonucleic acid among modern Austronesians .
The cave in which the skull was found sits 800 m ( half a mile ) from the sea , but co - authorDr Mike Carsonof the University of Guam told IFLScience , " [ Taiwan ’s ] eastern coastal mountain range of mountains is among the fastest uplifting geological formations in the worldly concern . ” When the person was inter there the site would have been nigher both to the ocean and a nearby river , volunteer the indweller both freshwater and a food source close to hand .
The study is published inWorld Archaeology(open access ) .
