马来西亚史前考古学史

History of Prehistoric Archaeology in Malaysia

马来西亚位于亚洲南端,连接两大洲,沟通两大洋,在南岛语族起源、迁徙和扩散研究中有着举足轻重的作用,对理解史前华南与东南亚文化关系也至关重要。近二百年来,马来西亚史前考古学大致经历了五个发展阶段:十九世纪下半叶是萌芽期,以英国殖民者和古物爱好者的调查为代表;二十世纪上半叶是诞生期,主要是西方学者的考古活动;二战后是发展期,新方法和新技术的传入使史前考古得到发展;七十年代后是快速成长期,本土学者成长并逐渐主导当地的考古活动,使史前考古更系统化和规范化;新世纪以来是繁荣期,国际合作和多学科交流不断加强,作为一门独立学科的考古学更加发展和繁荣。最后对相关的重要学术问题如南岛语族的迁徙、扩散以及文化传播、转变等进行了介绍。

Malaysia lies at the southern point of Mainland Southeast Asia,which connects Asia and Australia,and links the Pacific and the Indian Ocean.It has been an indispensable place for exploring the origin,dispersal,and interaction of ancient Austronesian and for discussing the prehistoric cultural relationship between South China and Southeast Asia.During past nearly 200 years prehistoric Archaeology of Malaysia saw five stages:it sprouted in the last half of the 19 th century when England antiquarians and colonial administrators investigated in Peninsular Malaysia;it was born in the first half of the 20 th century when some western scholars continued to conduct some activities here;after World War Ⅱ,it developed to some extent with new methods and techniques brought into the researches;after1970 s,the first generation of Malaysian archaeologists grew and dominated in archaeological activities,which made it develop into a systematic and scientific discipline.Presently,international cooperation and multidisciplinary research thrive,strengthening the position of Archaeology as independent discipline.Finally,this paper summarizes important questions in prehistoric research of Malaysia,such as Austronesian origin and dispersal routes,as well as the cultural transition and expansion in Malaysia.