A new study by Ateneo de Manila University reveals that ancient Filipinos had already mastered boatbuilding and seafaring skills 40,000 years ago. Archaeological sites in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste yielded remains of deep ocean fish, indicating early Filipinos engaged in deep-sea fishing. The study aims to understand how prehistoric peoples achieved ocean crossings and the technology they used. The findings challenge the understanding of humanity's mastery of marine technologies and will be published in the April 2025 issue of the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports.