Article
The Philippines from c. 14,000 to 4,000 cal. BP in Regional Context
Cambridge Archaeological Journal
(2019)
Abstract
In this paper, we review the current Philippine archaeological record between c. 14,000
and 4000 cal. BP in the context of our developing understanding of human adaptation to
post-glacial environments at the end of the Pleistocene, and the cultural and technological
changes that were occurring across Southeast Asia during this period. Due to their location
at the northwestern fringes of Wallacea, close proximity to Borneo and Taiwan, and
the long Palawan coastline bordering the southern margins of the South China Sea, the
Philippines have likely acted as a conduit for the movements of people, material culture
and ideas between the islands of Southeast Asia throughout prehistory. Current research
suggests that the Philippines were possibly embedded in larger maritime networks from the
Late Pleistocene onwards. This appears to have been a period of significant social change
and technological innovation, as illustrated by the appearance of new organic and inorganic
technologies and the emergence of diverse burial traditions across Southeast Asia. These included
sophisticated fishing strategies, techniques of hafting and composite tool production,
and long-distance interaction across the Philippine archipelago and Island Southeast Asia
perhaps as far as Near Oceania.
Publication Date
Winter February 1, 2019
DOI
10.1017/S0959774318000306
Citation Information
Alfred Pawlik and Philip J Piper. "The Philippines from c. 14,000 to 4,000 cal. BP in Regional Context" Cambridge Archaeological Journal Vol. 29 Iss. 1 (2019) p. 1 - 22 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/alfred-pawlik/17/