MANILA, Philippines (Feb 2025) — New archaeological findings suggest that ancient seafarers from the Philippines and Island Southeast Asia (ISEA) mastered boatbuilding and open-ocean navigation tens of thousands of years ago—long before the voyages of Magellan, Zheng He, and the Polynesians.
A study set to be published in the April 2025 issue of the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports presents evidence that these early mariners possessed advanced plant-processing technology, enabling them to construct sturdy seacraft and engage in deep-sea fishing.
Researchers Riczar Fuentes and Alfred Pawlik of Ateneo de Manila University challenge the common belief that technological advancements in the Paleolithic era were confined to Europe and Africa. Their findings suggest that early Filipinos and their ISEA neighbors had sophisticated maritime skills and technology comparable to much later civilizations.
Evidence of Advanced Boatbuilding
Unlike other parts of the world, much of ISEA was never connected to mainland Asia by land bridges or ice sheets. Yet, archaeological records show human habitation in the region dating back over 40,000 years. How these ancient people crossed vast oceans has long been a mystery, as boats made from organic materials rarely survive over time.
However, microscopic analysis of stone tools excavated from sites in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste reveals plant fiber processing—likely for making ropes, nets, and bindings essential for boat construction and open-sea fishing. Additionally, remains of deep-sea fish such as tuna and sharks, along with fishing hooks, gorges, and net weights, have been found at sites in Mindoro and Timor-Leste.
“The presence of large predatory pelagic fish indicates not only advanced seafaring skills but also knowledge of fish migration patterns,” the researchers wrote. The discovery of fishing implements further suggests “the need for strong, well-crafted ropes and fishing lines to successfully catch these species.”
The First Long-Distance Open-Sea Watercrafts Project
These findings support the idea that prehistoric migrations across ISEA were not accidental drifts on makeshift rafts but deliberate voyages by skilled navigators using well-built boats. To test this theory, the researchers, along with naval architects from the University of Cebu, have launched the First Long-Distance Open-Sea Watercrafts (FLOW) Project. Supported by a research grant from Ateneo de Manila University, the project aims to reconstruct seacraft using historically plausible materials and conduct scaled-down sea trials.
The study sheds new light on the ingenuity of early Philippine civilizations and their crucial role in shaping maritime traditions that continue to define the region today.
