S58 – Maritime Cultures in Southeast Asia: from Early Coastal Communities to the Emergence of States

Southeast Asia’s maritime history is rich and deeply intertwined with the cultural development of the region. The sea provided a “gateway” for human migration from the earliest humans to the rise of empires, shaping every aspect of the life of humans in social, cultural, economic, and political terms; it served as a gateway for migration and exchange. While pre-Homo sapiens hominins in the region showed little evidence of maritime adaptation, the arrival of our species marked a transformative shift. Over millennia, coastal and island communities developed advanced maritime skills, forging networks that ultimately connected them with distant regions such as South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific, fostering enduring ties and interactions.

This session will explore the dynamics and trajectories of maritime adaptations, cultures and seafaring traditions in Southeast Asia, tracing a timeline from the earliest Homo sapiens’ settlements to the emergence of states. By integrating archaeological, historical, and cultural perspectives, the session aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how Southeast Asia’s early maritime adaptations evolved into the seafaring traditions that shaped history.

For inquiries and submissions, please contact:

Harry Octavianus Sofian, Université Paris 10 Nanterre & National Research & Innovation Agency Jakarta, harry.octa@gmail.com

Clara Boulanger, University College of London, clara.boulanger@ucl.ac.uk