Fig. 1.

Hypotheses of the early migration of Bantu peoples. A shows the early-split hypothesis, while B–D show the different versions of the late-split hypothesis: (B) through the Sangha River Interval, (C) via a coastal route, and (D) through the interior of the rainforest. In all cases, the star stands for the homeland, while E and W stand for the East and West Bantu branches, respectively. The approximate rainforest extensions for 5,000 BP (A, C, and D) and for 2,500 BP (B) are based on refs. 29 and 30.