Healing History through Science
How Ancient and Modern DNA Analysis Confirms Chamorro Authenticity in the Mariana Islands By Joanne E. Eakin and Rosalind L. Hunter-Anderson Independent Researchers Abstract: The origins of the indigenous people of the Marianas have been obscured by the inaccurate writing of history that lacks a scientific perspective. This failing has led to the hurtful denial of Chamorro/CHamoru ethnic authenticity and legitimacy. Our paper shows how this intergenerational wound can be healed, in part, through the study of ancient and modern DNA from the Marianas. Here we present strong evidence from Guam and Saipan that points to Chamorro origins in the east-central islands of Indonesia, and to a remarkable continuity in both biological heritage and social practices between the first permanent settlers of the Mariana Islands 2800 years ago and present-day Chamorros. We also present new information about ancient migration streams into this region, family relationships, and lifestyle, obtained by way of advanced DNA analysis, which demonstrates the healing power of science to affirm Chamorro indigeneity and ethnic authenticity in a fraught political context.
Presentation Recording
Introduction
Marianas' archaeologists who focus on the prehistoric record apply a variety of field and laboratory techniques to learn about past human activities from material remains left by people without written records. Unlike modern historians, whose data are gleaned from inspection of written texts, we have a different method to decode the non-verbal material record of the human past: closely study the archaeological facts of interest, discern any relevant patterns in these observations, propose a model that best accounts for the patterns within