Micronesia, as one of the three main regions of the Pacific, is a lesser-known but still archaeologically fascinating part of the world. Although research has been going on in Micronesia for decades, it is still in its infancy, with a disproportionate amount of work taking place in the western part of the region and generally decreasing as one moves eastward. Nonetheless, despite the vastness of ocean that these smaller islands occupy, particularly the hundreds of coral atolls scattered across its surface, it is clear that prehistoric peoples were able to successfully colonize these islands by at least 2000 years ago and as early as 3500 year BP according to archaeological evidence. Palaeoenvironmental data suggest that colonization of many of these islands may be hundreds or even thousands of years earlier.
Linguistic, genetic, and archaeological research indicate that most, if not all of the major island groups, were settled independently from Southeast Asia, and possibly New Guinea in the case of western Micronesia, while those in the Central and Eastern Carolines and Marshalls have their likely origins in Melanesia or parts of western Polynesia. Archaeological research also demonstrates that there is a strong tradition of transporting larger stones (megaliths) to use as exchange items and for construction. The interisland movement and exchange of these megaliths indicates the ability of relatively small populations to coerce, force, or in some way encourage commoners to perform hard labor and risk their lives to achieve the goals of elite groups.
As archaeology continues to grow and develop in Micronesia, we will likely see many of the chronological gaps between archaeological and palaeo-environmental data filled in, and gain a better understanding of just how extensive peoples were moving and interacting as part of archaeologically and historically documented exchange systems and interaction spheres.
See also: Exchange Systems; Migrations: Pacific; Oceania: New Guinea and Melanesia.
World History
