In a revelation that raises astonishment and questions, a a group of archaeologists discovered a human settlement in Pingtan IslandChina, with antiquity which exceeds 7000 years. This discovery not only sheds new light on the first civilizations in Chinese territory, but may also redefine the understanding of migration movements and cultural interactions in Asia.
The significance of this discovery lies in its ability to provide answers to long-standing questions about origins and distribution Austronesian peopleswhose presence was evident in regions from Taiwan to Southeast Asia. This settlement, specifically located in an area that is now considered a bridge between different maritime cultures, suggests a deep genetic and cultural connection between the inhabitants of ancient China and the peoples of Southeast Asia.
Archaeological evidence consisting of tools, dwelling remains, and ceremonial artifacts points to a complex and well-established society, able to adapt and thrive in a demanding maritime environment. This discovery is enriching field of archeology in China and also contributes valuable pieces to the puzzle of human history in Asia.
How was the discovery made?
A combination of advanced technologies geological Survey y traditional archaeological techniques made an important discovery possible. Using ground-penetrating radar and stratigraphic analysis, the team was able to identify and then carefully excavate areas of interest with the responsibility of preserving the artifacts and structures discovered. This multidisciplinary approach facilitated the identification of the settlement and also enabled a deeper understanding of the daily practice and cultural traditions of its inhabitants.
This settlement, specifically located in an area that is now considered a bridge between different maritime cultures. Photo: La Nación.
The team responsible for this significant find included archaeologists from prestigious Chinese institutions who, after years of painstaking research and excavation, managed to uncover evidence of this ancient human settlement. However, these discoveries are only part of a larger discovery in Pingtan Island: place Kiqiutoudating from 5,000 to 6,500 years ago, and Donghuaqiu and Guishanwhich date back to 3,000 and 4,200 years ago.
The results of the discovery that were rated as one of the most important century according to Administration of China’s National Cultural Heritagewere published in a scientific journal Quaternary International. “These discoveries are of great importance for understanding the history and culture of the Austronesian peoples,” he said. Guan Qiangdeputy director of the company Administration of National Cultural Heritagewho also emphasized that this discovery “helps to understand how these people used marine resources and how they spread around the world”.
Austronesian people
He Austronesian people refers to a group extensive and diverse ethnolinguistics which is widespread mainly on the islands of Southeast Asia, the Pacific and parts of Madagascar. This group is notable for its skill in navigation and maritime expansion, having colonized a vast area from Madagascar in the west to Easter Island in the east; and from Taiwan in the north to New Zealand in the south.
Moose Austronesians They are considered descendants of the populations that inhabited what is today Taiwan about 5,000 to 6,000 years ago. From there, they are believed to have migrated south to the Philippines and then dispersed throughout Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and the Indian Ocean. This migration occurred in several waves, lasting thousands of years, and led to the diversification of the Austronesian peoples into hundreds of distinct ethnic groups with their own languages and cultures.
