ARKIYOLOJI 1: The Archaeology of the Philippine Archipelago (NOTES)

CHRONOLOGICAL FRAMEWORKS

Various frameworks exist for understanding prehistoric and protohistoric change.

Some periodize based on technological change, but some use social change as an indicator.

FRAMEWORK THAT USES SOCIAL CHANGE

Periods:

Formative ( human occupation 500 BC)- humans acquired patterns that will help them adjust
to Pleistocene and post glacial
Incipient ( 800 BC- 1 AD) archipelago became less isolated
Final Emergent- international contacts grew; acquired a sense of being Filipino

HUNTERS- GATHERERS TO RICE FARMING: EARLY PREHISTORIC BACKGROUND

Tabon Cave, Palawan evidenced the existence of civilization by way of identified stone tools,
flake tools, and animal bone remains.
In addition, chert tools such as basalt choppers and quartz hammers were found.

DUYONG CAVE
Source of food came mainly from marine species, as referenced by the remains found.
Smaller flaked tool, used blade tools as well.
Sites found in northern and central PH are considered as contemporaries of Duyong and
Tabon caves. Such sites had sophisticated industries of flake tools, blades, and core tools.
1.) Cagayan Valley Caves: Pebble Tools
2.) Musang Cave, Sierra Madre: frequented place for hunting food.
3.) Sohoton Cave, Samar: Similar to Musang, the cave was used to store
food.
4.) Balubok Rockshelter: occupied 8-9000 years ago

EARLY RICE CULTIVATION

This period was marked by the use of pottery and polished stone adzes.
Gardening activities and implements for cloth making are due to technological advancements
With this, fishhooks, shell adzes, and ornaments were used.
Interdependency was a feature of this period.
EVIDENCES OF RICE CULTIVATION

Andarayan Site, Cagayan Valley

Pots suggest cultivation of dry land rice.
Suggestion of using clay spindle whorls for clothing, chert adzes, and ornaments were also seen.

RICE CULTIVATION: MAIN SUBSISTENCE FOR NEOLITHIC CULTURES

IDEA: Rice farmers lived in clustered residential areas

EVIDENCE: DIMOLIT ( Northeast Coast, Luzon)

Early 3rd
or Late 2nd
millennium
Found postholes of 2 seasonally occupied houses; measuring 3 meters on a side.
Structures also indicate the possible presence of a hearth
Living room was littered with plain and red- slipped earthenwares sherds, globular pots,
mortar, grinder, flakes with silica; indicating possible use of harvesting knives. And, jade
beads.

MORTUARY PRACTICES: Deceased individuals are buried in caves. ( Ex: Man found in Duyong Cave)
But, towards the end of the Neolithic period, second burial in jars became prevalent.

EMERGENT COMPLEX SOCIETY AND CONTACTS BEYOND THE ARCHIPELAGO

By 2500 years ago, goods made from metal, glass, and exotic stones proliferated in the
Southeast Asian market. Shows that there are elites who demand for these.
Example: Lingling-O
These goods came from complex societies such as Thailand and Vietnam.

MORTUARY PRACTICES: secondary burials in jars. ( Examples include Mannungul Cave, Arku Cave, and
Ayub cave in Mindanao.)

It was customary for burials to include goods such as beads and other ornaments. The variation
of quantity witnessed in the different caves may be due to CLASS DIFFERENTIATION.
However, jar burials also took place outside of caves. ( Example: Magsuhot Open Burial Site)
Magsuhot had 3 burial group. Deceased residents of Sumillo are believed to be the ones buried
on the site.

RISE OF LOWLAND POLITIES AND MARITIME TRADE

Chinas impact significantly affected the scale of trade because of the introduction of porcelain.
During the late Tang or early Song dynasty, trade between the PH and CH flourished.
Tang tradewares were mostly confined to places such as Babuyan islands, Ilocos, Pangasinan,
 Coasts of Luzon and Mindanao.
By late Song and Yuan dyanasty, tradewares increased considerably and reached places such as
Manila, Laguna, and Cebu.
Trade was good yet until 1433- 1460s where the Ming dynasty forbade the overseas travel and
boat constructions.
Lowland polities emerged in response to the lukewarm trade relations between the Philippines
and China.
These polities send out tribunary missions to seek recognition and preferred trading status. Less
is preferred.
Chinese accounts suggest that even before the Spaniards came, there is already a hierarchical
arrangement existing. - BUTUAN AND LATER, MANILA

ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDINGS

BUTUAN

Involved in large scale maritime trade.

Putuan in Chinas Song Shih
Habitation deposits include Chinese tradewares, shell middens, and remains suggestive of
Butuans wood working, glass working, and metal working activities.
Craft production ( on that involves specialized knowledge) suggests that it is under elite control.
3 boats found and its inferred function was to bring Chinese goods to other parts of the
archipelago.
MORTUARY PRACTICES: Deploys inclusion of grave goods such as porcelain and beads and in
the 15-16th century, wooden coffins.

MANILA: SUBSEQUENT TO BUTUAN

Became an important trading hub and entrepot for important goods

Craft production is still under elite control, as suggested by the closeness of the storage house of
metals from the Rajas palace.
MORTUARY PRACTICES: Still deploys the use of grave goods such as porcelain and beads. Some
graves are found near churchyards.

LAGUNA

Pinagbayanan: used as a cemetery for inhumation burial

13th- 14th Century: Cremation was introduced as proved by the crematory complex found
14th-15th Century: Grave good tradition was now re-introduced.
Laguna Copperplate: a receipt/ letter of forgiveness for inability to pay a debt.

CALATAGAN

505 burials found with 208 from Pulung Bakaw and 297 from Kay Thomas
 Accompanied the burials are porcelains and stones waves from Thailand, China, and vietname
Segregation of Childrens and Infants burial

PALAWAN

Pandanan Shipwreck: believed to be of Vietnamese origin. 4700 late Yuan or early Ming
artifacts were found with 70% from Vietnam and 30% from Thailand and China. The artifacts
were dominantly porcelain with cauldrons, coins, and cooking stones; hinting Chinese origin.
Continuation of burial jars as seen in Bubulungun Cave 1-B and Magmisi Shelf

CENTRAL PHILIPPINES

Description of 16th century Visayas indicates that there are 3 hereditary systems
CEBU,
NEGROS, TANJAY.

CEBU, NEGROS, and TANJAY: SIMILAR IN MANY RESPECTS

( Minor difference: Negros indirectly participated in trade. Although this was still to be proved. )

Major political and trading centers

Porcelain was used to indicate social class. Hence, the variation in its distribution.
Any valuable activity is elite controlled. ( Eg: Iron works, excavations of local valuables )
Crafting of hilt took place and was also indicative of class.
Design similarities are indicative of alliances.
Acquisition of porcelain is done through trade or raid ( Evidence: Mass grave found in Tanjay)