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Pacific -
General Pacific
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Far out in the Pacific, the islands of Palau hold secrets that could upset our understanding of human evolution. Mysterious bones hidden in an isolated cave eventually reveal that our bodies are able to adapt much faster than anyone thought possible. The picturesque nation of Palau forms an island chain southeast of the Philippines roughly 125 miles (200 kilometers) long. A trust territory of the United States from 1947 until 1994, this Micronesian archipelago is made up of eight large islands and some 250 islets.
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The Lost Tribe Of Palau. Video hosted on Youtube. Palau's Rock Islands appear to sit on giant pedestals. Formed by ancient coral reefs, the bases of these limestone formations have been slowly eroded over millennia into quirky mushroom shapes. Palau is part of the Micronesia Island chain and is beautifully located just seven degrees north of the equator in the western Pacific Ocean. It lies 1000km (600 miles) east of the Philippines. The Palau islands include more than 200 islands, of which only eight are inhabited. With three exceptions, all of the islands are located within a single barrier reef and represent two geological formations. The largest are volcanic and rugged with interior jungle and large areas of grassed terraces. The Rock Islands are of limestone formation, while Kayangel, at the northenmost tip, is a classical coral atoll. This gives Palau some of the most favorable tropical weather on earth. Palau beckons to you with some of the world's most awesome natural wonders. Micronesia has always been hailed as one of the premier dive destinations of the world. From large manta rays to tiny cleaner shrimp, the underwater world truly blossoms and comes alive in Palau.Palau is the last word in underwater wonderlands. It also features Micronesia's richest flora and fauna, both on land and beneath the waves, and what's more, they released an Elvis Presley postage stamp a full year before the USA got around to doing so. Having emerged from United Nations trusteeship (administered by the United States) in 1994, it is one of the world's youngest and smallest nations. Sometimes the name is spelled in English today phonetically in accordance with the native pronunciation Belau, and it was formerly known in English as Pelew.
Early Palauans may have come from Australia, Polynesia and Asia. Depending on the thread of the family, Palauans may indeed represent many parts of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. However, it is traditionally not considered to be Micronesian. According to geneticists, there are two distinctive strains of Melanesian bloodlines: one is associated with indigenous Australians/Papua New Guineans and the other is known to have originated in Asia. There has not been any link established between the two. In the European and Australian world Belau/Pelew is better known by the name of "The Black Islands". Vintage maps and village drawings can be found at the Australian library online, as well as photos of the tattooed and pierced Ibedul of Koror and Ludee. Carbon dating and recent archaeological discoveries have brought new attention to the archipelago. Cemeteries uncovered in islands have shown Palau has the oldest burial ceremony known to Oceania. Prior to this there has been much dispute as to whether Palau was established during 2500 BC or 1000 BC. New studies seem to dispute both of these findings. Moreover, Palau's ancient trading partner, Java, has also come under close scrutiny since Homo floresiensis was found. Like Flores, remains of small-bodied humans have been found in Palau. For thousands of years, Palauans have had a well established matrilineal society, believed to have descended from Javanese precedents. Traditionally, land, money, and titles passed through the female line. Clan lands continue to be passed through titled women and first daughters[3] but there is also a modern patrilineal sentiment introduced by imperial Japan. The Japanese government attempted to confiscate and redistribute tribal land into personal ownership during World War II, and there has been little attempt to restore the old order. Legal entanglements continue amongst the various clans.
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I think there's a moment in time where palauans should extend their right hands to all of you behind this research project and say, thanks for going back, thanks for the memories, thanks for a history of a lifetime! May God bless you all.