Divergence and contact in Southern Bantu language and population history

Abstract In this paper we present a new, lexicon-based phylogeny of 34 Southern Bantu languages, and combine it with previous insights from linguistics, archaeology, genetics to study the history languages their speakers. Our shows all derive single, direct ancestor, which contrasts archaeological evidence indicating separate migrations speakers into southern Africa. This suggests that spoken by first migrants became extinct, ancestor present-day only emerged in Africa during second millennium CE . We also map distribution previously established or suspected Khoisan-derived linguistic features onto phylogeny. Evidence for intensive contact Khoisan comes population genetics, influence is mainly seen populations displaying higher degree genetic admixture.