At a Glance
- Archaeologists have found evidence on Mindoro showing that early humans were active in the region over 35,000 years ago, marking it a key hub for ancient migration and innovation.
- The Mindoro Archaeology Project uncovered tools and remains that reveal advanced fishing and seafaring skills, enabling early inhabitants to catch large ocean fish and travel across maritime Southeast Asia.
- Among the discoveries were tools made from giant clam shells and a 5,000-year-old human burial, suggesting long-distance cultural links with places like Papua New Guinea and shared Southeast Asian traditions.
- The grave on Ilin Island included a fetal position burial and limestone slabs, indicating complex social and ideological practices among these early coastal populations.
- These findings demonstrate that ancient humans in the region developed sophisticated maritime networks and survival strategies, reshaping our understanding of human adaptation in island environments.
Recent archaeological research on the Philippine island of Mindoro has uncovered significant evidence of human adaptation and migration dating back over 35,000 years. This work, led by the Ateneo de Manila University in collaboration with international institutions, highlights Mindoro’s crucial role in ancient maritime Southeast Asia. The findings, published in Archaeological Research in Asia, show that the island was a hub for early human migration, technological innovation, and long-distance cultural exchange.
The study focuses on the Mindoro Archaeology Project, which has uncovered tools, human remains, and other artifacts in caves and rock shelters on Ilin Island, San Jose, and Sta. Teresa, Magsaysay. These discoveries demonstrate that early inhabitants of Mindoro had advanced seafaring and fishing skills, capable of catching large, open-sea fish like sharks and bonito. This expertise enabled them to connect with other distant populations in the maritime region of Wallacea and beyond. The evidence suggests that over 30,000 years ago, the people of Mindoro were already skilled in navigating and surviving in a challenging island environment.
An exciting aspect of the findings is using giant clam shells to create tools such as adzes. These shell tools, dating back 7,000 to 9,000 years, are similar to those found in other parts of Island Southeast Asia, including Manus Island in Papua New Guinea, demonstrating the wide-reaching connections between early island populations. Additionally, the team discovered a 5,000-year-old human grave on Ilin Island, offering insight into these ancient communities’ social and ideological practices. The burial, which included a fetal position interment and limestone slabs, suggests shared cultural influences across Southeast Asia.
The discoveries on Mindoro highlight the island’s importance in the broader history of human migration and adaptation. By revealing the advanced maritime networks of early humans, the Mindoro Archaeology Project has reshaped our understanding of the region’s prehistoric past. These findings also emphasize how early human populations adapted to coastal and marine environments, developing sophisticated techniques that allowed them to thrive across Island Southeast Asia.
References
- Dimacali, T. J. M. & Ateneo de Manila University. (2025, June 5). Philippine islands had technologically advanced maritime culture 35,000 years ago, archaeologists discover. Phys.Org; Ateneo de Manila University. https://phys.org/news/2025-06-philippine-islands-technologically-advanced-maritime.html
- Pawlik, A. F., Fuentes, R. B., Faylona, M. G. P. G., Palconit, T. G. R., & Uldin, T. (2025). Chronology and ecology of early islanders in the philippines: The mindoro archaeology project. Archaeological Research in Asia, 42, 100616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ara.2025.100616
