History of the Philippines (900–1565)
The recorded history of the Philippines between 900 and 1565 begins with the creation of the Laguna Copperplate Inscription in 900 and ends with the beginning of Spanish colonization in 1565. The inscription records its date of creation in 822 Saka (900 CE). The discovery of this document marks the end of the prehistory of the Philippines at 900 AD. During this historical time period, the Philippine archipelago was home to numerous kingdoms and sultanates and was a part of the Indosphere and Sinosphere.
| Horizon | Philippine history |
|---|---|
| Geographical range | Southeast Asia |
| Period | c. 900–1560s |
| Dates | c. Before 900 CE |
| Major sites | Tundun, Seludong, Pangasinan, Limestone tombs, Idjang citadels, Panay, Rajahnate of Cebu, Rajahnate of Butuan, Rajahnate of Sanmalan, Kota Wato, Kota Sug, Ma-i, Dapitan, Gold artifacts, Singhapala |
| Characteristics | Indianized kingdoms, Hindu and Buddhist Nations, Malay Sultanates |
| Preceded by | Prehistory of the Philippines |
| Followed by | Colonial era |
Sources of precolonial history include archeological findings; records from contact with the Song dynasty, the Brunei Sultanate, Korea, Japan, and Muslim traders; the genealogical records of Muslim rulers; accounts written by Spanish chroniclers in the 16th and 17th centuries; and cultural patterns that at the time had not yet been replaced through European influence.