Ancient seafarers mastered the ocean 760K years before Europeans

The long-standing mystery surrounding the early inhabitants of Southeast Asia’s islands may finally be solved, as new research suggests that these ancient people mastered seafaring far earlier than previously thought.

Historians and archaeologists have always been puzzled about how these islands were populated, given the advanced seafaring technology  that would have been required, seemingly beyond the capabilities of the Paleolithic era or Old Stone Age.

However, a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science is challenging the accepted belief that technological advancements during this period were primarily centred in Africa and Europe.

This game-changing evidence comes from stone tools unearthed at sites across the Philippines, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste, which suggest that these ancient mariners demonstrated a level of technological sophistication rivalling that of much later civilisations as early as 40,000 years ago.

The difficulty in proving this seafaring history lies in the fact that organic materials such as wood and fibre, likely used in the construction of these early vessels, seldom survive in the archaeological record, reports the Express US.

Maritime timeline transformed

However, these newly unearthed stone tools provide an answer and fresh insights. The latest find, according to the research, reveals evidence of plant processing that includes the “extraction of fibers necessary for making ropes, nets, and bindings essential for boatbuilding and open-sea fishing.”

Combined with the discovery of fishing hooks, remnants of deep-ocean fish such as tuna and sharks, plus other implements like net weights and gorges, these archaeological locations provide a comprehensive glimpse into what is clearly a sophisticated seafaring society.

“The remains of large predatory pelagic fish at these sites indicate the capacity for advanced seafaring and knowledge of the seasonality and migration routes of those fish species,” the study authors wrote. The collection of fish and tool remnants “indicates the need for strong and well-crafted cordage for ropes and fishing lines to catch the marine fauna.”

Ancient tool mystery

The artefacts suggest an elaborate technique for deep-ocean fishing, prompting the study authors to theorise that the ancient mariners built vessels from organic materials and secured them together with plant-based ropes. This rope technology was subsequently adapted for fishing purposes.

The discovery of fossils and ancient tools on remote islands has long been seen as evidence that early modern humans crossed vast oceans. However, the authors of a new study challenge the widely held belief that these journeys were accidental.

Instead of being adrift on bamboo rafts, they argue, these prehistoric explorers were highly skilled navigators with the knowledge, planning, and maritime technology needed to traverse deep waters and reach far-off lands.

Traditions continue to flourish

“The identification of boat-building materials through direct or indirect evidence is vital in understanding movements across and within island environments,” the authors penned in the study.

“The presence of such advanced maritime technology in prehistoric ISEA underscores the ingenuity of early Philippine peoples and their neighbours,” the authors stated in a university press release, “whose boat-building knowledge likely made the region a hub for technological innovations tens of thousands of years ago and laid the groundwork for the maritime traditions that still flourish in the region today.”