Population Dynamics of Early Human Migration in Britain.

Mayank N Vahia,Pavan Mahathe,Deepak Mathur,Uma Ladiwala,Francesc Calafell

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0154641

Abstract

BackgroundEarly human migration is largely determined by geography and human needs. These are both deterministic parameters when small populations move into unoccupied areas where conflicts and large group dynamics are not important. The early period of human migration into the British Isles provides such a laboratory which, because of its relative geographical isolation, may allow some insights into the complex dynamics of early human migration and interaction.Method and ResultsWe developed a simulation code based on human affinity to habitable land, as defined by availability of water sources, altitude, and flatness of land, in choosing the path of migration. Movement of people on the British island over the prehistoric period from their initial entry points was simulated on the basis of data from the megalithic period. Topographical and hydro-shed data from satellite databases was used to define habitability, based on distance from water bodies, flatness of the terrain, and altitude above sea level. We simulated population movement based on assumptions of affinity for more habitable places, with the rate of movement tempered by existing populations. We compared results of our computer simulations with genetic data and show that our simulation can predict fairly accurately the points of contacts between different migratory paths. Such comparison also provides more detailed information about the path of peoples’ movement over ~2000 years before the present era.ConclusionsWe demonstrate an accurate method to simulate prehistoric movements of people based upon current topographical satellite data. Our findings are validated by recently-available genetic data. Our method may prove useful in determining early human population dynamics even when no genetic information is available.

Highlights

Extracting comprehensive data relating to prehistoric human settlements is notoriously difficult as the available evidence is, more often than not, sparse, scattered, perishable, and prone to misinterpretation
Our method may prove useful in determining early human population dynamics even when no genetic information is available
Early human migrations may be presumed to be largely driven by available resources, later migrations into areas already occupied are far more complex as they involve aggressions and warfare brought about by struggles between emerging groups and classes

Summary

Introduction

Extracting comprehensive data relating to prehistoric human settlements is notoriously difficult as the available evidence is, more often than not, sparse, scattered, perishable, and prone to misinterpretation. Rice and Papadopoulos [4] have incorporated both deterministic and stochastic aspects of human migration to derive an exact equation for directional evolution in an open population. They have shown that increasing variance in migration rates reduces the impact of migration relative to selection based on phenotypes. Human migration is largely determined by geography and human needs These are both deterministic parameters when small populations move into unoccupied areas where conflicts and large group dynamics are not important.

Methods

Results

Conclusion