Early Modern Colonialism in the Asia-Pacific Region

The study of early modern colonialism in the Asia-Pacific region is highly significant for re-thinking Global History, as historians are highlighting the region’s relevance in the transformation of global economy through its role in far-reaching trade networks. Thus, the important role of non-Angloamerican colonial agents (such as the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and others before 1800 C.E.) in the shaping of early modern colonialism is also being pointed out. Archaeology can and needs to make a contribution to this topic. This may be through, amongst others, the study of consumption patterns, environmental effects, demographic impacts, transformation of gender systems brought about by contact, role of material culture in these first colonial endeavours, and specifically, the important evidence that historical and maritime archaeology can provide. A history-archaeology joint collaboration is required in order to find new lines of evidence and and argumentation that enrich this topic.