Maldives

The origins of the people of the Maldives are lost in history. Archaeological finds indicate that the islands were inhabited as early as 1500 BC, and there are tales of a legendary people called the Redin who may have been among the earliest of explorers. Attempts to investigate the origins of human settlement in the Maoldives have been difficult, as little or no data exists and there is a lack of facilities or personnel to carry out research among the group of widely distributed islands.

It is believed that permanent settlements were established in the Maldives around 500 BC by Aryan immigrants from the Indian subcontinent.