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The paper discusses the potential for significant results in Maluku archaeology in the coming years, based on recent findings from comparable archipelagos and the antiquity of trade in Maluku spices. The paper mentions the existence of rich written sources in Maluku that are being extended back in time to provide a history of human endeavor in the region, possibly spanning 55,000 years. It highlights the importance of understanding the nature of the economic system and the development of an agricultural economy in the region's earliest inhabitants. The paper also addresses the date and source of initial Pleistocene settlement in the region, with evidence suggesting human occupation of Sahul (Australia, New Guinea, and Aru Islands) dating back 55,000 years ago. It mentions the possibility of different colonization routes into Sahul, including one passing through Maluku via Sula, Halmahera, and the Bird's Head, and another route along the Lesser Sundas to Timor and then to present-day Australia. Overall, the paper explores various research questions related to the history, economy, and settlement patterns in Maluku archaeology.