Past Human Migrations in East Asia: Matching Archaeology, Linguistics and Genetics

This book examines the history of the peopling of East Asia, drawing upon the latest evidence in genetics, linguistics and archaeology. It investigates the ways in which we can detect migration, and its different markers in these fields of inquiry. Results from each sphere of academic investigation are compared and reinterpreted in the light of evidence from others. A methodological section reviews key issues in the integration of disciplines and possible pitfalls in developing a synthesis of prehistory. Amongst many original chapters, fresh contributions by Chinese archaeologists and geneticists present challenging views on rice domestication and a reconstruction of the history of yak pastoralism in Central Asia. A series of papers review the language phyla of the region, alerting readers to current issues in their classification and inter-relations. A further theme is that of the Austronesian dispersal and controversies over the pattern of its expansion. Other chapters focus on the West and North Asian regions from North East India to Siberia and the role of demography in driving linguistic and genetic variation. The book should be of great interest to advanced students and researchers in all disciplines working on the prehistory of East Asia and adjacent regions.Sanchez-Mazas, Alicia is the author of 'Past Human Migrations in East Asia: Matching Archaeology, Linguistics and Genetics', published 2008 under ISBN 9780415399234 and ISBN 0415399238.