Evidence suggests that the ancient inhabitants of the Philippines and Islands of Southeast Asia were highly skilled seafarers, developing advanced boat-building techniques and navigation skills potentially tens of thousands of years ago, predating well-known maritime explorers like Magellan, Zheng He, and even the Polynesian voyagers, reports Phys.
Sophisticated Seafaring
A new study challenges the traditional view that Paleolithic technological advancements were limited to Europe and Africa. Researchers from Ateneo de Manila University argue that Southeast Asia (ISEA), despite its isolated island geography, shows evidence of early human habitation and sophisticated seafaring.
The mystery of how these early humans crossed vast ocean stretches remains, as evidence like wooden boats rarely survive. However, archaeological findings in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste suggest that these ancient seafarers possessed a level of technological sophistication comparable to much later civilizations.
Ancient Boatbuilding
Microscopic analysis of 40,000-year-old stone tools from Southeast Asian archaeological sites revealed evidence of plant fiber processing, crucial for making ropes, nets, and bindings used in boatbuilding and fishing. Remains of deep-ocean fish and fishing implements found in the Philippines and Timor-Leste further suggest advanced seafaring capabilities and knowledge of fish migration patterns.
The presence of these fishing tools indicates the use of strong, plant-based ropes for fishing lines and boat construction. This evidence suggests that ancient seafarers in the region built sophisticated boats using organic materials and rope technology, enabling them to navigate vast distances and reach remote islands.
The researchers, inspired by fieldwork on Ilin Island, are now conducting the First Long-Distance Open-Sea Watercrafts (FLOW) Project. This project aims to test potential ancient boatbuilding materials and design scaled-down seacraft models, in collaboration with naval architects, to further understand the capabilities of these early seafarers.
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Source: Phys
