Archaeologists Stunned to Discover Philippine Islands Had Advanced Maritime Culture 35,000 Years Ago

For most, the islands of the Philippines conjure images of aesthetic beaches and untouched jungles. But beneath these landscapes lies a deeper, far more profound story. It is a story that challenges what we thought we knew about the origins of human migration and innovation in Southeast Asia. In a stunning revelation, archaeologists have unravelled compelling evidence that 35,000 years ago, the Philippine islands, especially Mindoro and its surrounding isles.

They were home to a technologically advanced maritime culture, as per Science Direct.

The findings published in Archaeological Research in Asia are the result of 15 years of detailed research conducted by scientists from Ateneo de Manila University in collaboration with international experts. These discoveries are now moulding our understanding of how early humans explored and thrived in the island realm of Southeast Asia. The evidence centers around the Mindoro Archaeology Project, which unraveled some of the earliest known remains of modern humans  (Homo sapiens) in the Philippines, as per Phys.Org.

Prominent sites include Ilin Island, San Jose, and Sta. Teresa is in Occidental Mindoro. What makes these locations extraordinary is that, unlike Palawan, Mindoro was never connected to the Southeast Asian mainland, not by land bridges, not even during the Ice Age. This means that every early human who reached the island had to do so by sea. These early people were not just surviving, they were flourishing. Archaeologists found tools made from bone, stone, and marine shells, indicating both innovation and adaptation. Some of the shell tools, including adzes crafted from Tridacna (giant clams), date back 7,000–9,000 years and resemble those found as far away as Manus Island in Papua New Guinea, 3,000 kilometers distant, as per The Jerusalem Post.

The marine lifestyle of these ancient islanders is further evidenced by the remains of deep-sea fish like bonito and shark, indicating open-ocean fishing techniques far ahead of their time. The study authors noted, “Organised burials and burial rituals are seen as a representation of belief systems, the concept of an afterlife and places for both the living and dead,” as per IFL Science. Fishing gorges made from bone and net sinkers were also discovered, highlighting specialized tools and knowledge of the ocean ecosystem. Another weird human element emerged with the discovery of a 5,000-year-old grave on Ilin Island. The body was laid in a fetal position, surrounded by limestone slabs, a burial style mirrored across Southeast Asia. This indicates shared belief systems and a growing social complexity across far-flung regions.

Even more intriguing are porcupine fish spines, likely used for extracting poison to tip hunting weapons, an indicator of sophisticated survival strategies. Obsidian flakes at the site may have originated from Sulawesi or Melanesia, pointing to vast seaborne exchange networks, as per IFL Science. Ultimately, the Mindoro findings do more than add a chapter to prehistory, they rewrite the whole narrative.