Early states (900–1565)

Main article: History of the Philippines (900–1565)

The Laguna Copperplate Inscription, the oldest known writing found in the Philippines

The earliest known surviving written record found in the Philippines is the Laguna Copperplate
Inscription.[38] By the 14th century, several the large coastal settlements had emerged as trading
centers and became the focal point of societal changes. [39] Some polities had exchanges with other
states across Asia.[40][41] Trade with China is believed to have begun during the Tang dynasty, and
grew more extensive during the Song dynasty,[42] and by the second millennium some polities
participated in the tributary system of China.[43][40] Indian cultural traits, such as linguistic terms and
religious practices, began to spread within the Philippines during the 10th century, likely via the
Hindu Majapahit empire.[44][39][45] By the 15th century, Islam was established in the Sulu
Archipelago and spread from there.[46]
Polities founded in the Philippines from the 10th–16th centuries include Maynila,
[47]
 Tondo, Namayan, Pangasinan, Cebu, Butuan, Maguindanao, Lanao, Sulu, and Ma-i.[48] The early
polities were typically made up of three-tier social structures: a nobility class, a class of "freemen",
and a class of dependent debtor-bondsmen. [39][40] Among the nobility were leaders called "Datus",
responsible for ruling autonomous groups called "barangay" or "dulohan".[39] When these barangays
banded together, either to form a larger settlement [39] or a geographically looser alliance,[40] the more
esteemed among them would be recognized as a "paramount datu", [39][37] rajah, or sultan[49] which
headed the community state.[50] Warfare developed and escalated during the 14th to 16th centuries,
[51]
 and throughout these periods population density is thought to have been low, [52] which was also
caused by the frequency of typhoons and the Philippines' location on the Pacific Ring of Fire.[53] In
1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the area, claimed the islands for Spain and
was then killed by Lapulapu's fighters at the Battle of Mactan.[54]

Colonial rule (1565–1946)