<P> Studies presented by HUGO (Human Genome Organization) through genetic studies of the various peoples of Asia, empirically points out that instead of the other way around, another migration from the south (Indonesia) first entered mainland Southeast Asia and then travelled slowly northwards to the Philippines and China . </P> <P> Solheim and others have shown evidence for a Nusantao (Nusantara) maritime trading network ranging from Vietnam to the rest of the archipelago as early as 5000 BC to 1 AD . The Bronze Age Dong Son culture flourished in Northern Vietnam from about 1000 BC to 1 BC . Its influence spread to other parts Southeast Asia . The region entered the Iron Age era in 500 BC, when iron was forged also in northern Vietnam still under Dong Son, due to its frequent interactions with neighboring China . </P> <P> The peoples of Southeast Asia, especially those of Austronesian descent, have been seafarers for thousands of years, some reaching the island of Madagascar, became the ancestors of modern - day Malagasy people . Passage through the Indian Ocean aided the colonisation of Madagascar, as well as commerce between Western Asia, eastern coast of India and Chinese southern coast . Gold from Sumatra is thought to have reached as far west as Rome . Pliny the Elder wrote in his Natural History about Chryse and Argyre, two legendary islands rich in gold and silver, located in the Indian Ocean . Their vessels, such as the vinta, were capable to sail across ocean . Magellan's voyage records how much more manoeuvrable their vessels were, as compared to the European ships . A slave from the Sulu Sea was believed to have been used in Magellan's voyage as a translator . </P> <P> Most Southeast Asian people were originally animist, engaged in ancestors, nature, and spirits worship . These belief systems were later supplanted by Hinduism and Buddhism after the region, especially coastal areas, came under contacts with Indian subcontinent during the 1st century . Indian Brahmins and traders brought Hinduism to the region and made contacts with local courts . Local rulers converted to Hinduism or Buddhism and adopted Indian religious traditions to reinforce their legitimacy, elevate ritual status above their fellow chief counterparts and facilitate trade with South Asian states . They periodically invited Indian Brahmins into their realms and began a gradual process of Indianisation in the region . Shaivism was the dominant religious tradition of many southern Indian Hindu kingdoms during the 1st century . It then spread into Southeast Asia via Bay of Bengal, Indochina, then Malay Archipelago, leading to thousands of Shiva temples on the islands of Indonesia as well as Cambodia and Vietnam, co-evolving with Buddhism in the region . Theravada Buddhism entered the region during the 3rd century, via maritime trade routes between the region and Sri Lanka . Buddhism later established a strong presence in Funan region in the 5th century . In present - day mainland Southeast Asia, Theravada is still the dominant branch of Buddhism, practiced by the Thai, Burmese and Cambodian Buddhists . This branch was fused with the Hindu - influenced Khmer culture . Mahayana Buddhism established presence in Maritime Southeast Asia, brought by Chinese monks during their transit in the region en route to Nalanda . It is still the dominant branch of Buddhism practiced by Indonesian and Malaysian Buddhists . </P>

Where do the majority of people in south asia live