Deep ancestry of collapsing networks of nomadic hunter–gatherers in Borneo

Abstract Theories of early cooperation in human society often draw from a small sample ethnographic studies surviving populations hunter–gatherers, most which are now sedentary. Borneo hunter–gatherers (Punan, Penan) have seldom figured comparative research because decades-old controversy about whether they the descendants farmers who adopted hunting and gathering way life. In 2018 we began an study group still-nomadic call themselves Punan Batu (Cave Punan). Our genetic analysis clearly indicates that very unlikely to be neighbouring agriculturalists. They also preserve song language is unrelated other languages Borneo. Dispersed travelling groups with fluid membership use message sticks stay contact, co-operate share resources as journey between rock shelters forest camps. Message were once widespread among nomadic Borneo, but largely disappeared sedentary villages. Thus community offers rare glimpse life was forests where prosocial behaviour extended beyond face-to-face community, facilitating successful collective adaptation diverse Borneo's forests.