Which groups contributed to the early settlement of Palau?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

The islands of Palau were inhabited between 3,000 and 2,000 years ago by successive waves of settlers. These groups included:

Malays from Indonesia1
Melanesians from New Guinea1
Philippine natives1
Polynesians from outlying islands in Micronesia1

Archaeological evidence indicates that the settlement of Palau, along with the Mariana Islands, occurred through migrations that were distinct from the expansion associated with the Lapita culture. This diverse ancestral background contributed to the development of the unique Palauan language, which is classified as a Western Austronesian language.21