Sundaland disappearing over 20,000 years

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Sundaland is a biogeographical region of Southeastern Asia that encompasses the Sunda shelf, the part of the Asian continental shelf that was exposed during the last glacial period of the Pleistocene, from approximately 110,000 to 12,000 years ago. It was a large region that encompassed what is now the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, and other surrounding islands in Southeast Asia.

During periods of the lower sea levels associated with the Ice Age, Sundaland was a vast expanse of land connecting the present-day islands of Southeast Asia. The landmass extended across the Sunda Shelf, which is the continental shelf in the region. It formed a continuous land bridge that allowed for the migration of plants, animals, and human populations between islands.

Sundaland was home to a diverse range of ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, swamps, river systems, and grasslands. It supported a rich array of plant and animal species, including unique flora and fauna that adapted to the specific environments found within the region.

One notable aspect of Sundaland is its significance in human history. The landmass provided a pathway for early human migration and the movement of different human populations in and out of the region. The migration and interactions of humans in Sundaland played a crucial role in shaping the cultural and genetic diversity of Southeast Asia.

As the Ice Age came to an end and sea levels rose with the melting of ice sheets, Sundaland gradually became submerged, resulting in the formation of the islands we see today. The process of submergence occurred over thousands of years, and the final stages likely took place around 8,000 to 6,000 years ago. The map below illustrates this process.

The term “Sundaland” is derived from the name “Sunda,” which refers to the Sunda Shelf and the Sunda Islands, including Sumatra, Java, and Bali. The concept of Sundaland helps us understand the geological and ecological history of the region and sheds light on the interconnectedness of the islands and the shared heritage of the people in Southeast Asia.