Archeological research shows that there were people living in Miaoli in the prehistoric era. Many archeological evidences have been found. In the prehistoric era, people lived in the river terrace. They mainly led an agricultural life and engaged in hunting and fishing for extra food sources. About a thousand years ago, Taokas, a group of the indigenous Taiwanese, settled here. The aboriginal name of Miaoli is "Maoli", which refers to plateau in Taokas.
