Southeast Asia's Prehistoric Seafaring Prowess Rewrites History
2025-03-02
New archaeological research challenges established beliefs, revealing that 40,000 years ago, the Philippines and Southeast Asia possessed remarkably advanced seafaring technology. Stone tools, plant fiber traces for rope-making, fishing hooks, net weights, and remains of large pelagic fish found in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste, point to sophisticated boatbuilding and deep-sea fishing. This predates similar advancements in Europe and Africa, suggesting Southeast Asia was a technological leader in maritime innovation during the Paleolithic era. This discovery upends the long-held notion that Paleolithic technological progress was centered in Africa and Europe.