People of the Great Ocean
Aspects of Human Biology of the Early Pacific

A 1996 account of the biological evolution of the first settlers of the Pacific islands.

Philip Houghton (Author)

9780521119306, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 17 September 2009

304 pages
24.4 x 17 x 1.6 cm, 0.49 kg

"....the most ambitious attempt so far to deal with the biological anthropology of the peoples of the 'Remote Pacific,' the inhabitants of the islands to the east, northeast, and southeast of New Guinea-Polynesia" Asian Perspectives

Human settlement of the western fringes of the Pacific began at least 40,000 years ago. Long, hazardous sea voyages were the only way of reaching the tiny islands scattered through this vast expanse of ocean. Food and shelter were hard to come by, even on land. This book, first published in 1996, documents how these settlers adapted culturally and biologically to the distinctive Pacific environment, and how they evolved into the large-bodied, muscular people seen today in New Zealand, Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia. Philip Houghton considers studies of DNA, patterns of health and disease, and computer simulations of human survival at sea based on the likely routes through the Pacific. People of the Great Ocean is a unique work based on extensive research and careful analysis. Philip Houghton's text presents detailed technical information, but remains highly readable and persuasive.

1. The Pacific world
2. Physique
3. People and environment
4. Skeletal morphology
5. Models and methodology
6. Health
7. Legacy
Index.

Subject Areas: Human biology [PSX], Australasian & Pacific history [HBJM]