| Abstract: |
The prehistory of Irian Jaya is still very poorly known. This in contrast to the surrounding regions, where the evidence shows that the colonization of this area must have taken place at least since 40,000 years ago. The rarity of evidence from Irian Jaya is caused by the sparsity of research. Even though it was started early in the 1930s, we hardly know anything about the early occupation of this region. The sites investigated generally haven't been dated. However, the evidence right now available illustrates the main character of prehistoric remains, such as caves frequentation and rock art which seems to have originated from the preneolithic. There are also megalithic and palaeometallic remains and, the most important evidence, living prehistoric elements. Future research must be directed to those themes with a priority to the early colonization and regional cultural relation aspects.
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