Philippine jade culture

Philippine jade culture, or jade artifacts, made from white and green nephrite and dating as far back as 2000-1500 BC, have been discovered at a number of archaeological excavations in the Philippines since the 1930s. The artifacts have been both tools like chisels and ornaments such as lingling-o earrings, bracelets, and beads.
The green nephrite has been traced to a deposit near modern Hualien City in eastern Taiwan. The source of the white nephrite is unknown. The jade was worked in the Philippines, especially in Batanes, Luzon, and Palawan. Some was also processed in Vietnam, while the peoples of Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia also participated in one of the most extensive sea-based trade networks of a single geological material in the prehistoric world. It was in existence for at least 3,000 years, where its peak production was from 2000 BC to 500 AD, older than the Silk Road in mainland Eurasia or the Maritime Silk Road. It began to wane during its final centuries, from 500 AD until 1000 AD.
History
Jade was discovered by the animist Taiwanese indigenous peoples in Taiwan and mined soon after, in 2000 BCE. During this time, migrations by Austronesians from Taiwan began southward towards the Philippines, which also resulted in some animist indigenous peoples from the Philippines returning to Taiwan. Indigenous Filipinos soon began processing the jade from Taiwan for trade as technological advances were met. This initial trade between island communities established the first phase of the Maritime Jade Road. The network likely waned due to later aggressions by cultures outside of Southeast Asia, such as India and China. Peace was essential to the continuation of the sea jade network, as seen in the case of the Philippines (the main jade manufacturing area), where the islands experienced at least 1,500 years of near absolute peace from 500 BCE to 1000 CE, coinciding with the operations of the jade network.
Places of significant jade finds
The following are the major locations with historical links to the Maritime Jade Road; many other places, aside from the following, traded through the network.
*Identified Fengtian and possibly Fengtian nephrites: WG. Liyushan, Wangan Islands; QM, Nangang, Qimei Islands, Penghu Archipelago; JXL, Jialulan, eastern Taiwan; LD, Yugang and Guanyindong, Ludao Islands; LY, Lanyu High School Site, Lanyu Islands; AN, Anaro, Itbayat Islands; SG, Sunget, Batan Islands; SD, Savidug, Sabtang Islands; NGS, Nagsabaran, Cagayan Valley; KD, Kay Daing, Batangas; EN, Leta-Leta and Ille Caves, El Nido, Palawan; TC, Tabon Caves, Palawan; NC, Niah Cave West Mouth, Sarawak; AB, An Bang; GM, Go Mun; DL, Dai Lanh; GMV, Go Ma Voi; BY, Binh Yen (these five sites in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam); GCV, Giong Ca Vo, Ho Chi Minh City; SS, Samrong Sen, Cambodia; UT, U-Thong, Suphanburi; BTDP, Ban Don Ta Phet, Kanchanaburi; KSK, Khao Sam Kaeo, Chumphon.
*Identified non-Fengtian nephrites: BTG, Uilang Bundok and Pila, Batangas; TK, Trang Kenh; YB, Yen Bac; MB, Man Bac; QC, Quy Chu; GB, Go Bong; XR, Xom Ren; GD, Go Dua; GL, Giong Lon
UNESCO
UNESCO published an article falsely alleging that the Maritime Jade Road is the Maritime Silk Road. The Maritime Jade Road is older than the Maritime Silk Road by more than two thousand years. In 2020, Taiwanese citizens, including scientists and other scholars, were banned from UNESCO activities amidst Chinese (PRC) pressure over UNESCO. The ban was widely criticized.

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