Mary Jane Louise A. Bolunia
The Philippines at the Nexus of Maritime Exchange From 500 BC - AD 500
ABSTRACT
The geographical location of the Philippine archipelago in the Southeast Asian realm can be seen in numerous ways but would always redound to its importance in bridging parts of island Southeast Asia on one hand and the Pacific islands on the other hand. It can also be seen as peripheral to the imaginary Southeast Asian maritime lake as it occupies the easternmost fringe of island SEA or it can be viewed as completing the same imaginary lake. Communities found within this area engage in maritime exchange and trade using the lake, the South China Sea, as the main avenue to reach each other. Opportunities for prehistoric interaction to exchange objects of importance as well as engaging in cultural activities which include customs and traditions abound. Archaeological sites yielding artifacts dated to the Neolithic and Metal Age periods have been found from the main island of Luzon and Mindanao to the islands in central Philippines (Visayas),indicating involvement in the prehistoric maritime exchange. Pottery, beads, stone ornaments are just some of the artifacts showing foreign origin while beliefs and practices or the substitution of some of these cultural practices have also been observed through the presence or absence of artifacts. This presentation revisits some of the archaeological sites that have participated in the prehistoric maritime exchange in the South China Sea.