Ilha Formosa, 17th century : archaeology in small islands, history of global processes

Abstract

This chapter presents the theoretical framework and scientific questions behind recent archaeological investigations undertaken in the hitherto relatively under-researched Spanish colony in Taiwan, founded in the seventeenth century. Despite its potential role in subsequent global developments, this historical episode has been downplayed in mainstream literature on early modern colonialism. My emphasis is not so much on building a thorough presentation of the archaeological findings obtained (in progress), but on summarizing the main results while creating a narrative about the possibilities and constraints of archaeological research on colonialism in the Asia–Pacific region.