Historical Significance of the Southwest Islands of Palau

Intoh, Michiko (June 2008). "Historical Significance of the Southwest Islands of Palau". In Clark, Geoffrey; Leach, Foss; O'Connor, Sue (eds.). Islands of Inquiry: Colonisation, Seafaring and the Archaeology of Maritime Landscapes. Canberra: Australian National University Press. pp. 325–338.

• Has attachment: File:NUFRTN5Y.pdf

Abstract: Micronesia occupies the northwestern corner of Oceania. Most of the islands are scattered in the northern hemisphere, except for Kiribati. The Southwest Islands of Palau are located at the southwestern corner of Micronesia. The area is adjacent to the islands in Melanesia, Indonesia and the Philippines and forms a significant locale to identify human movements around, and particularly into, Micronesia. While the Southwest Islands of Palau are relatively isolated compared with other island groups in Micronesia, there are a number of coral islands scattered throughout Micronesia whose inhabitants developed various living strategies to enable them to survive in a resource- limited environment. The most recognised strategy was continuing cultural contacts with other islands to acquire goods and human resources (Intoh 2008). One such example in Micronesia is the sawei exchange system that was developed between Yap and the coral islands in the Central Caroline Islands. Another example is the two large trading networks developed within the archipelago of the Marshall Islands (Alkire 1978). Reconstructing the way of life of these island groups, particularly the external relations built between coral islands and other islands, should provide new insights to enable us to better understand the adaptation strategies required to survive in a resource-limited environment.

Extra details:

DOI: 10.22459/TA29.06.2008
MAG: 628260044
OpenAlex: W628260044