Semiconductor theory in migration: population receivers, homelands and gateways in Taiwan and Island Southeast Asia

Abstract

People migrate to, from and through regions that may be defined alternately as receivers, homelands or gateways. We propose to consider all three of these components as a unit, in an analogy with semiconductors that could amplify, alter or covert the flow of migrations. We examine two migrations related to Taiwan, beginning with a flow from coastal south-east China to Taiwan by 4000 bc and then continuing with another migration from Taiwan into Island Southeast Asia by 2000 bc. Reasons for these migrations have been debated in terms of their stemming from population increase, land-dependent agricultural expansion, ambitious founder ideology and environmental change or instability. Rather than dispute the authenticity of these prime movers, we consider the mechanics of migration through semiconductor theory that may be applied to any region in terms of the energy flow of migrations interacting with other phenomena of the geographic and social context.

Keywords:

• Migration
• Neolithic
• Taiwan
• Island Southeast Asia
• Austronesian

Acknowledgements

This work was improved with thanks to anonymous reviewers and editorial guidance. The manuscript grew from our joint research about Austronesian Neolithic origins and relations, funded by the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation in Taiwan, 2011–13.

Funding

Manuscript preparation was supported in part by Visiting Scholar Grant 23714 at the Research School of Asian and Pacific Studies, Australian National University.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mike T. Carson

Mike T. Carson investigates multiple perspectives of archaeology, geoarchaeology and enthoarchaeology in the Asia-Pacific region. He authored the book First Settlement of Remote Oceania: Earliest Sites in the Mariana Islands, published by Springer, 2014.

Hsiao-chun Hung

Hsiao-chun Hung concentrates on human migrations and trading networks in the regions of southern China, Taiwan, Mainland and Island Southeast Asia and the Mariana Islands.