Ancient Tools Contradict Civilization Timeline

A long-standing question has stumped researchers: How did humanity come to inhabit the Islands of Southeast Asia (ISEA) such a long time ago?

The thought is that doing so would have required seafaring advancements beyond that considered likely during the Paleolithic era (Old Stone Age). But research shows that the ancient people of the Philippines and ISEA may have mastered seafaring before anyone else.

The evidence is stone tools excavated in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste. As far back as 40,000 years ago, there existed a technological sophistication in these ancient seafarers that rivals that of much later civilizations. The researchers say this challenges the believe that Paleolithic technical progress was centered in Africa and Europe.

Proving seafaring history is a trick endeavor. Organic wood and fiber—likely used in constructing seacraft—rarely survive in the archaeological record. But stone tools do. The most recent discovery shows traces of plant processing for the extraction of fibers. The fibers would have been used to make ropes, nets, and bindings, which are essential for building boats and open-sea fishing.

When you add in the discovery of fishing hooks, gorges (a fish book alternative), net weights, and the remains of tuna and sharks, it seems obvious a robust seafaring culture existed.

The presence of large open-sea fish at these sites indicate advanced seafaring techniques and knowledge of the time and routes of the migration of those species. There was a need for strong, well-crafted ropes and fishing lines.

The archaeologists believe these ancient seafarers made boats held together with ropes. The same rope technology would have been adapted for fishing.

Fossils and artifacts across the island proves that early humans moved across the open sea. But these scientists do not accept the theory that the prehistoric migrations were passive, that people drifted on bamboo rafts. Instead, they think the movement came from skilled navigators. They feel that direct or indirect evidence of boat-building is vital to understand human movement across island environments.

Such advanced maritime technology in prehistoric ISEA shows ingenuity. Their boat-building knowledge probably made the region a center for technological innovations tens of thousands of years ago. It would have laid the foundation for the maritime traditions that still thrive there today.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/archaeologists-found-ancient-tools-that-contradict-the-timeline-of-civilization/ar-AA1QBNgO?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=693f6c4211d9422bb32ac5d9db0e778e&ei=29