| Abstract: |
Becuase of limited resources, permanent settlement of small Pacific coral atolls is virtually impossible unless the inhabitants have access to other resource zones, such as those provided by high islands. Recent archaeological research has shown that Fais Island was settled about 1, 900 years ago and that throughout their history the islanders maintained wide-ranging contacts. They acquired domesticated animals from the west, imported pottery from Yap and Palau, and green schist from Yap. Language, specialised fishing gear, the rodent fauna and some excavated tree gum suggest contacts with Melanesia and perhaps the Philippines.
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