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Selected Works of Alfred Pawlik
Article
30,000 years of fishing in the Philippines.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports (2023)
  • Alfred Pawlik, Ateneo de Manila University
  • Clara Boulanger, National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, Japan
  • Thomas Ingicco, Musee de l'homme
  • Rintaro Ono, National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, Japan
  • Marian Reyes, National Museum of the Philippines
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Abstract
Marine adaptations are considered to have been significant factors in the evolution of our species (Homo sapiens).
As humans dispersed from Africa around 100 kya, marine resources provided essential nutrients in island environments
of the tropical Southeast Asian seas. The Philippine archipelago has revealed significant evidence of
early human settlement during this period of coastal migration. Yet, despite being a global marine biodiversity
hotspot, few studies have investigated prehistoric marine adaptations there. In this study, we focus on the
analysis of fish bones from three sites in Occidental Mindoro, Philippines: Bubog I, Bubog II, and Bilat Cave with
the aim of enhancing the understanding of H. sapiens’ coastal adaptations and maritime interactions since at least
32,000 BP. We utilized expanded skeletal element identification protocols to determine the lowest taxonomic
level possible, combined with diversity indices. The analyses indicate that H. sapiens on Mindoro mostly
exploited near-shore environments, with temporal variations in fishing practices reflecting differences in site
occupation intensity and periods of climate-mediated habitat change. Inter-site variations in fishing practices are
likely related to disparities in local marine habitats. Spatiotemporal differences in marine environments influenced
the development of diverse fishing methods and technologies, demonstrating a detailed knowledge of local
aquatic environments and the adaptability of modern humans in Island Southeast Asia since the Pleistocene.
Keywords
  • Homo sapiens,
  • Island Southeast Asia,
  • Fishing,
  • Pleistocene,
  • Holocene,
  • Marine environments
Disciplines
Publication Date
Fall September 23, 2023
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2023.104222
Citation Information
Alfred Pawlik, Clara Boulanger, Thomas Ingicco, Rintaro Ono, et al.. "30,000 years of fishing in the Philippines." Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports Vol. 52 Iss. 104222 (2023) ISSN: 2352-409X
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/alfred-pawlik/29/