KOROR, Palau — A groundbreaking genetic study of the ancient Palauan remains has revealed new insights into the ancestry and migration patterns of Palau’s early inhabitants, distinguishing them from other Pacific Island populations.
The findings suggest that the earliest Palauans who were here 3,200 years before the present already had mixed East Asian and Papuan ancestry before arriving in Palau. The study showed that Palauan ancestors are genetically very similar to the ancient people of Morotai Island of North Maluku, in Indonesia.
It also revealed that those early Palauans have the same DNA as current people, although the ancient DNA shows a higher percentage of Papuan ancestry than East Asian. Current Palauan DNA shows a higher percentage of East Asian than Papuan DNA.
Presented by Dr. David Reich and Dr. Yue-Chen Liu of Harvard University, the study utilized advanced ancient DNA sequencing techniques to analyze skeletal remains dating back thousands of years.
Unlocking Ancient Genetic Codes
Dr. Reich explained how breakthroughs in DNA extraction methods allowed researchers to sequence ancient genomes with remarkable accuracy. Using petrous bones, the densest part of the human skull, the research team extracted well-preserved DNA from Palauan remains despite the region’s warm climate, which typically accelerates DNA degradation.
“We can now compare ancient individuals directly to modern populations, unlocking genetic histories that were previously impossible to trace,” Reich said.
Dr. Liu, who led the genetic analysis, highlighted how Palau’s early settlers arrived around 3,200 years ago.
Unlike populations in Vanuatu and Fiji—where early settlers were predominantly East Asian before later migrations from New Guinea—Palauans exhibited a distinctive genetic continuity.
A Unique Ancestral Blend
“Our findings suggest that Palau’s early population had a different admixture compared to other Pacific island groups,” Liu said. “While there are traces of East Asian ancestry, there is also evidence of an early and persistent Oceanic genetic signature, possibly indicating a separate migration event.”
This contrasts with previous studies on Vanuatu, where ancient DNA showed an almost entirely East Asian origin among early settlers, with later waves of migration introducing New Guinea-related ancestry. The Palauan data, however, indicate a more complex genetic blending from the start, reinforcing the idea that Palauans followed a different migratory pathway.
Implications for Pacific Migration Studies
The study provides fresh perspectives on the settlement of Micronesia and its connections to broader Pacific migration patterns. Palau’s genetic history suggests a deep population mixture distinct from neighboring islands, challenging earlier assumptions that all Remote Oceanic populations followed similar migratory trajectories.
“This research reshapes our understanding of human movement across the Pacific,” Reich said. “Palau’s genetic history is uniquely its own, and this study underscores the importance of ancient DNA in rewriting history.”
The findings spark interest in further research into the early migrations that shaped Palau and the broader Pacific region.
The study, Ancient DNA Reveals Deep Population Mixture in Palau, will soon be published and was presented via Zoom to the Palau general public and high school students at the Palau High School Resource Center yesterday, February 13, 2025. (By: L.N. Reklai)