The Commensal Model for Human Settlement of the Pacific 10 Years on—What Can We Say and Where to Now?

Abstract

In 1998 my colleagues and I published the first full analysis of the use of Rattus exulans mitochondrial DNA phylogenies as a proxy for tracing human colonization and migration in Polynesia. In the 10 years since that publication, we have extended this approach geographically beyond Polynesia and chronologically through the use of ancient DNA. We have also extended the approach to other commensal animals and plants. This paper will review some of the major discoveries of the last 10 years of commensal research, highlighting the similarities and differences we can now observe in the patterns of mtDNA variation in the various commensal species and discussing the implications of these for understanding the human settlement of the Pacific. I will then present and discuss some of the problems and potential solutions for the further development of the commensal approach and the use of ancient DNA for addressing questions regarding the human settlement of islands in general.

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