Long before the Greeks launched triremes or the Egyptians built reed boats, ancient Southeast Asians were already mastering the sea. In this episode, Bernie and Dan dive into new archaeological findings that challenge the entire timeline of technological progress. Stone tools, deep-sea fish bones, and microscopic plant fibers tell the story of a forgotten seafaring culture—one that may have built boats, caught tuna, and navigated open waters 40,000 years ago. Were the world’s first sailors islanders?

Article Links:

https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/archaeology/a63870396/ancient-boats-southeast-asia/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352409X25000525?via%3Dihub

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This is a podcast by Dan Hörning and Bernie Maopolski.

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