AustronesianS in EAST AFRICA II
nSome of
the evidence for this exchange is the transfer of elephantiasis
to Africa and the import of African malaria, the
import of SE Asian fighting cocks and bananas, huti, to the East
African coast, and a type of goat (?) to island SE Asia
nIs there any direct archaeological evidence? Not yet.
But neither was there for the Graeco-Roman trade until a couple
of years ago, despite the documentary evidence.
nPostulating two (or three counting later Malay trade contacts)
distinct Austronesian contacts with the EA coast solves
many problems related to try and roll all the evidence
into one package.