Archaeological and Paleoenvironmental Evidence of Early Settlement in Palau

Welch, David J. (2008-01-24). "Archaeological and Paleoenvironmental Evidence of Early Settlement in Palau". Bulletin of the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association. 22 (0): 161–174. doi:10.7152/bippa.v22i0.11817. ISSN 0156-1316 1835-1794, 0156-1316 .

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Abstract: “Settlement, Oral History and Archaeology in Micronesia: Archaeological and Paleoenvironmental Evidence of Early Settlement in Palau” is a comprehensive examination of early human settlement in the Palauan archipelago, with a particular focus on Babeldaob, the largest island of the group. The study synthesizes recent data from both traditional archaeological methods, such as surveys and excavations, and paleoenvironmental coring, aiming to understand the processes of initial settlement and early human expansion in the area.

A significant part of the research concentrates on the capital relocation site at Ngerulmud Hill, where unusual pottery characterized by very thin black sherds was discovered, leading to a reevaluation of the cultural timeline for the region. Moreover, excavations at sites like Engoll Hill in Melekeok and others along the Compact Road project provided data on human environmental impacts, including changes in sedimentation rates and vegetation patterns that suggest profound human modification of the landscape over time.

The study explores environmental changes in Babeldaob, focusing on episodes of human impact discernible from sediment cores, alongside fluctuations in grass and forest pollen, sediment accumulation, and charcoal particle counts over thousands of years. These findings relate to historical shifts in vegetation, such as expansion and contraction of savannas, and potential causes for these changes, including natural processes and human activities like agriculture and settlement.