Research Seminar - MARCS Institute

During this talk, Dr Sidwell will address the compelling questions of the nature and origins of linguistic and cultural diversity that emerged during and since the archaeologically “missing millennia” 6000 to 3500 BP in Southeast Asia.

Far from being merely the passive recipient of waves of inbound cultural transmission from the Sinosphere and Indosphere (and Malayosphere?), Mainland SEAsia has been a dynamic centre of innovation and growth that extended profound influences over a vast swath of time and territory.

A comprehensive analysis of the evolution of the Austroasiatic language phylum, and its interactions with Sino-Tibetan, Austronesian, Hong-Mien, Tai, adds essential linguistic evidence to genetic, anthropological, and archeological studies that are rewriting the history of the region. Integrating traditional and innovative research methodologies, the project will delivers substantial open research infrastructure that will facilitate and enhance capacity and collaboration across the field.