What Are The Implications Of The Recently Discovered Lapita Pottery Shard With The Distinctive Dentate-stamp Motif Found On The Island Of Tanna In Vanuatu For Our Understanding Of The Settlement Chronology Of The Central Pacific, And How Might This Finding Challenge Or Confirm Current Models Of Austronesian Migration And Dispersal In The Region?

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The discovery of a Lapita pottery shard with a dentate-stamp motif on Tanna Island, Vanuatu, offers significant insights into the settlement chronology of the central Pacific and the Austronesian migration. Here's a structured summary of the implications:

  1. Lapita Pottery and Austronesian Migration: Lapita pottery, known for its dentate-stamp motifs, is a marker of early Austronesian culture, associated with migrations from Taiwan and the Philippines around 3,000-3,500 years ago. This find suggests that Vanuatu was part of the early Austronesian expansion.

  2. Geographical Significance: Tanna's location in Vanuatu, south of the Solomon Islands, indicates that Austronesian settlers may have moved through the region earlier than previously thought. This challenges the notion of a pause in migration after the initial settlement of the Bismarck Archipelago and Solomon Islands.

  3. Chronology and Migration Models: The find supports a more continuous migration model, where Austronesians moved swiftly through the Pacific rather than halting for extended periods. It aligns with the "fast train" model of rapid migration.

  4. Cultural Implications: The presence of Lapita pottery in Vanuatu suggests the introduction of Austronesian cultural practices, potentially influencing local populations and indicating a broader dispersal of their cultural package.

  5. Existing Chronology in Vanuatu: Previous sites in Vanuatu have been dated to around 2,800 years ago. This find, if consistent with or earlier than these dates, strengthens the understanding of Vanuatu's role in early migration routes.

  6. Refinement of Models: The discovery provides material evidence supporting Vanuatu's integral role in Austronesian migration, refining timelines and routes, and highlighting the region's significance beyond being a peripheral area.

In conclusion, the Lapita shard found on Tanna underscores Vanuatu's importance in early Austronesian migration, supporting a continuous and rapid expansion model, and enriching our understanding of Pacific settlement history.