Liu Yi-chang
The Localisation of Foreign Material Culture:
A Case Study into Taiwan Prehistoric Societies
ABSTRACT
The relationships between Taiwan and Southeast Asia began around four thousand years ago. The first period, between 4000-2500 B.P., was mainly marked by the southward migration from Taiwan of the ancestors of the Austronesian peoples. Up to now, it is still difficult to assess whether, during this period, they also brought back north some cultural elements from the South China Sea regions. The second period of contacts was between 500 B.C. and 500 A.D, when the interactions between Taiwan and Southeast Asia went in both directions, creating the "Austronesian Maritime Route". Prehistoric groups not only exchanged objects, but also ideas and techniques. It spurred the transformation of the material culture and social systems of Taiwan's prehistoric peoples, and gradually shaped the initial appearance of Taiwan's contemporary aboriginal societies. For instance, the formation of today's Paiwan aristocracy is closely related with the introduction of these foreign materials. Since 2500 B.P., the long-term and constant interactions with, and arrivals of, foreign culture and people following the "Austronesian Maritime Route" led to new levels of cultural and ethnic complexity in Taiwan's prehistoric societies, a phenomenon which has been attested in records of indigenous societies since early historical times. This paper aims to use archaeological material to discuss the emergence of the "Austronesian Route" and its impact on indigenous peoples in Taiwan in order to clarify the factors behind the diversification of Taiwan's indigenous societies.