Editing History of Palau (section)

==Pre-contact==
{{See also|Micronesian navigation}}
The [[Palauan language]] is an outlier among the Austronesian languages, and so does not shed much light on the origins of the modern population. However, there are some indications that it may derive from the [[Sunda Islands]] (modern Indonesia).

Migration to and colonization of the islands took place sometime around 2,000 years ago, but no later than the first centuries A.D. By 600 A.D. settlements were established throughout the archipelago.<ref name=":0" />

For thousands of years, Palauans have had a well established matrilineal society, believed to have descended from Javanese precedents.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.journeum.com/dst/Oceania/Palau/About|title=About Palau {{!}} Palau travel guides {{!}} Journeum|website=www.journeum.com|access-date=2018-01-04}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=January 2011}} Traditionally land, money, and titles passed through the female line. High Chiefs were chosen by Queens (high-ranking women) only. Clan lands continue to be passed through titled women and first daughters<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.palaunet.com/pw_culture.aspx |title=Palau National Communications Corporation |access-date=2011-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709145537/http://www.palaunet.com/pw_culture.aspx |archive-date=2011-07-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but there is also a modern patrilineal sentiment introduced by imperial [[Japan]]. The Japanese government attempted to confiscate and redistribute tribal land into personal ownership during [[World War II]], and there has been little attempt to restore the old order. Legal entanglements continue amongst the various clans.