Archeology 1 (3/3)

Summary

The script describes the transformative geological events that shaped the Philippine Archipelago, leading to the disappearance of land bridges and the emergence of new islands. It delves into the ancient fishing and food gathering practices of the Tabon Caves' inhabitants, reflecting a continuity with Stone Age methods. Archaeological excavations at the site have uncovered layers of history, with tools and human remains dating back as far as 50,000 years, suggesting a deep connection to early human migrations in the region. The findings challenge our understanding of early human settlement in Asia and highlight the Tabon Caves' significance in the story of human evolution.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The script discusses significant climatic changes that led to the melting of polar ice caps, the sinking of land bridges, and the transformation of geographical features such as the Philippine Archipelago.
• 🌳 The climate eventually stabilized, allowing for the growth of cedar trees over 30 meters tall and the disappearance of the land bridge that once connected Asia to the islands.
• 🎣 Fishing and food gathering activities have evolved from simple methods to more complex ones, such as the use of fish traps by modern Filipinos.
• 🐚 The Tagbanua people still engage in traditional shellfish collection and fishing methods similar to their ancestors, showcasing a continuity of cultural practices.
• 🔍 Archaeological excavations at Tabon Cave have revealed layers of history, with findings dating back to 50,000 years ago, indicating a long-standing human presence in the region.
• ⚰️ The discovery of human remains and stone tools at various depths within the cave provides evidence of early human habitation and technological advancements over time.
• 🗓️ Carbon-14 dating of charcoal and bones found in the cave has helped to date the presence of humans and their activities to specific time periods, ranging from 3,000 to 50,000 years ago.
• 🗡️ The types of stone tools found in the cave, such as choppers and flakes, have remained consistent over a long period, suggesting a stable technology and way of life.
• 🏞️ The script suggests a connection between the ancestors of the Tabon people and the Aboriginal Australians, indicating a possible shared ancestry and cultural ties.
• 🏺 The method of cooking, such as grilling fish and barbecuing turtle meat, has remained unchanged for thousands of years, reflecting the enduring nature of certain cultural practices.

Q & A

What significant climatic changes are mentioned in the script?

The script mentions the melting of vast polar ice caps, the sinking of ancient land bridges between Asia and the islands under rising seas, and cataclysmic changes that led to the stabilization of the climate.

How did the Philippine Archipelago assume its present geographic form according to the script?

The Philippine Archipelago assumed its present geographic form after the land bridges sank under rising seas and the climate stabilized.

What traditional fishing and food gathering activities are still practiced by the Tagbanua people?

The Tagbanua people still practice spearing fish and octopi, collecting shellfish, and digging out brackish water shellfish from the mangrove swamps, similar to their ancestors.

How is fish typically cooked in the Tagbanua community as described in the script?

Fish is cured and grilled on an open fire, and turtle meat is picked straight from the shell to be barbecued, methods reminiscent of Stone Age cooking.

What is the significance of the Tabon Cave in the context of the script?

The Tabon Cave is significant as it has provided archaeological evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years, including the discovery of stone tools and human bones.

What does the script suggest about the relationship between the Tabon Cave inhabitants and the Aboriginal Australians?

The script suggests that the ancestors of the Tabon Cave inhabitants may have been more closely related to the Aborigines of Australia than to the modern Filipinos, based on the similarities in lower jaw bones found in the cave.

What archaeological methods were used to date the remains found in the Tabon Cave?

Archaeologists used carbon-14 dating on charcoal found alongside human bones and stone tools to determine the age of the remains, which ranged from 9,000 to 50,000 years old.

What types of stone tools were discovered in the Tabon Cave, and how do they relate to the dating of Stone Age man?

Various types of stone tools were discovered, including flakes and large choppers made of igneous rock. The presence of these tools at different depths, along with carbon-14 dating, helped to date the Stone Age man to different periods ranging from 9,000 to 50,000 years ago.

How did the excavation process in the Tabon Cave contribute to the understanding of early human history in the Philippines?

The excavation process revealed layers of time with stone tools and human remains, providing a timeline of human habitation in the region and contributing to the understanding of early Philippine history.

What is the significance of the continuous use of similar tools over a long period as mentioned in the script?

The continuous use of similar tools over a span of 50,000 years indicates a stability in the technology and lifestyle of the early inhabitants, suggesting a consistent way of life and cultural practices over an extended period.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 Climate Change and Early Life in the Philippines

The script describes a period of significant climatic change where polar ice caps melted, causing land bridges to sink and the Philippine Archipelago to take its current form. It discusses how the ancient people adapted to these changes, with fishing and food gathering methods evolving from simple spearing to complex fish traps. The Tagbanua people's traditional way of life is highlighted, including their shellfish collection and cooking methods that have remained unchanged for thousands of years. Archaeological findings in Tabon Cave, such as charcoal and stone tools, provide evidence of human habitation dating back to 30,000 years ago. The narrative also touches on the discovery of human remains and the use of carbon-14 dating to establish the age of these findings.

05:05

🏞️ Archaeological Discoveries and Human Evolution

This paragraph delves into the archaeological work conducted in Tabon Cave, focusing on the discovery of stone tools and human remains. It discusses the stratification of the cave, which reveals layers of time with tools and charcoal at different depths, providing a timeline of human occupation. The tools found are similar across various levels, suggesting a consistent way of life over a long period. The oldest tools and charcoal date back to approximately 50,000 years ago. The paragraph also mentions the discovery of a large chopper, a rare tool type, and the use of chert nodules to make stone flakes. The findings suggest a deep history of human presence in the region, with implications for understanding the evolution of early humans in the Philippines and their possible connections to other populations in the region.

10:07

🌏 Expanding Horizons of Early Human History

The final paragraph briefly mentions the broader implications of the archaeological work in Tabon Cave for understanding the history of early humans in the Philippines and Asia. It suggests that the findings have greatly extended our knowledge of early human presence and activity in the region, hinting at a more complex and widespread human history than previously understood.

Keywords

💡Climatic changes

Climatic changes refer to shifts in the Earth's climate, which can include alterations in temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions. In the video's context, these changes are significant as they led to the melting of polar ice caps, the sinking of land bridges, and the transformation of geographical features. This sets the stage for the discussion of how these changes affected human habitation and migration patterns, as well as the evolution of the Philippine Archipelago.

💡Polar ice caps

Polar ice caps are large masses of ice that cover the Earth's polar regions. In the script, the melting of these ice caps is mentioned as a significant climatic event that contributed to rising sea levels and the submersion of land bridges. This is crucial for understanding the geological and environmental backdrop of the video, which discusses the changes in the landscape that influenced human settlement and the formation of modern geographical features.

💡Land bridge

A land bridge is a continuous strip of land that connects two larger landmasses or that emerges from an otherwise submerged region, allowing for the migration of species and human populations. The script discusses the disappearance of such land bridges due to rising seas, which is pivotal in understanding the isolation and unique development of the Philippine Archipelago and its early inhabitants.

💡Philippine Archipelago

The Philippine Archipelago is a group of islands in Southeast Asia, consisting of over 7,000 islands. The video script describes how the archipelago assumed its present geographic form following the climatic changes and the disappearance of land bridges. This concept is central to the video's narrative, as it explores the historical and cultural development of the region and its people.

💡Tabon Cave

Tabon Cave is a significant archaeological site in the Philippines, known for its evidence of early human habitation. The script mentions the cave in relation to the discovery of ancient tools and human remains, providing a timeline of human presence in the region. The cave's significance lies in its role as a window into the past, offering insights into the lives of early Filipinos and their cultural practices.

💡Carbon-14 dating

Carbon-14 dating is a radiometric dating technique used to determine the age of an object containing organic material by measuring the amount of carbon-14 remaining in the sample. In the video, this method is used by archaeologists to date charcoal and bones found in Tabon Cave, helping to establish a timeline for human occupation and cultural development in the region.

💡Archaeologists

Archaeologists are scientists who study human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains. The script highlights the work of archaeologists, particularly Dr. Alfredo Evangelista and Dr. Robert B. Fox, in uncovering the history of the Tabon Cave and the early inhabitants of the Philippine Archipelago. Their research is central to the video's exploration of the region's past.

💡Stone Age

The Stone Age is a broad prehistoric period during which stone was widely used to make tools. The video script refers to the Stone Age in relation to the tools found in Tabon Cave, indicating the technological capabilities and lifestyle of early humans in the region. This term is significant as it helps to contextualize the level of development and the type of activities engaged in by the early inhabitants of the archipelago.

💡Mangrove swamps

Mangrove swamps are wetland ecosystems characterized by mangrove trees and are typically found in coastal regions. The script mentions mangrove swamps as part of the environment where the Tagbanua people collect shellfish, illustrating the connection between the natural environment and the subsistence practices of the local population. This concept is important for understanding the ecological context of the region and how it has shaped human activities.

💡Subsistence practices

Subsistence practices refer to the activities and strategies used by a community to obtain the necessities of life, such as food, water, and shelter. The video script describes various subsistence practices of the Tagbanua people, such as fishing, shellfish collection, and the use of mangrove swamps. These practices are crucial for understanding the cultural and economic aspects of the community's way of life and how they have adapted to their environment over time.

💡Aboriginal Australians

Aboriginal Australians are the indigenous people of the Australian continent, with a cultural history that dates back tens of thousands of years. The script suggests a possible genetic and cultural link between the early inhabitants of the Philippine Archipelago and Aboriginal Australians, based on the analysis of a lower jaw found in Tabon Cave. This connection is significant as it broadens the understanding of the migration patterns and cultural exchange in the region.

Highlights

Great climatic changes have caused polar ice caps to melt and land bridges to sink, leading to significant geographical changes.

The Philippine Archipelago has assumed its present geographic form after these changes.

MEMS, an indigenous group, sailed between the islands and engaged in fishing and food gathering activities.

Fishing methods like spearing fish and octopi are likely inherited from ancient practices.

The Tagbanua people collect shellfish in a manner similar to their ancestors, showcasing continuity in tradition.

The Tabon Caves were once part of a land bridge to Borneo and mainland Asia.

Children catch fish and eels and collect shellfish in the warm shallow waters near the Tabon Caves.

Cooking methods have remained simple, with fish being grilled and turtle meat barbecued, similar to Stone Age practices.

Archaeologists have unearthed jaw burials dating back 3,000 years and remains from 8,000 years ago in the Tabon Cave.

Dr. Alfredo Evangelista is conducting carbon-14 dating on charcoal found in the Tabon Cave.

The Tabon Cave has yielded human bones believed to be 23,000 years old.

The lower jaw found in the cave is closely related to the Niah Man of Sarawak and the Australian original.

The proposition that the ancestors of the Aboriginal Australians may have been present in Palawan 23,000 years ago.

Stone tools found in the Tabon Cave provide a timeline for the dating of Stone Age man.

The excavations reveal that man's tools and table bone caves remained unchanged over a 50,000-year period.

A large chopper made of igneous rock, a rare tool, was found in the Tabon Cave.

The excavations in the Tabon Cave extend the knowledge about early man's absolute station and his origins from Asia.

Transcripts

the last I seen when great climatic

changes have taken place in the world

when the vast polar ice caps have melted

the ancient land bridges between Asia

and the islands sank under rising seas

and the world was rent with cataclysmic

change

peace after the storm the climate

stabilized the cedar will risen over 30

meters the land bridge is gone and the

Philippine Archipelago had assumed its

present Geographic form from now on MEMS

sailed between the islands but many of

the fishing and food gathering

activities seen far removed from the

elaborate fish traps of the modern

Filipinos the small dugout - no in the

way of spearing fish and octopi are

almost certainly inherited from a

remoter past

on the foreshore immediately below 40

cave

Peter the tag Bona can go out and

collect shellfish as his ancestors may

have done thousands of years ago while

behind the porn point in the mangrove

swamps that joined the point to the

mainland of plowin they can dig out all

year round from the dark waters between

the mangrove groups a great variety of

brackish water shellfish all good for

eating the we know the tab on caves once

formed part of the land bridge to Borneo

and perhaps to the mainland of Asia now

it's only exposed at low tide and the

children come here to catch fish and

eels and collect the shellfish that

abound here in the warm shallow water

the way of cooking is the simplest

imaginable the fish is cured and put on

an open fire to grill

and meat from turtles which breed on an

island not far away is picked straight

from the shell to be barbecued - this is

the rightest method of cooking used by

Stone Age Maine long ago and still in

use by workers in the Tabon cave today

the archaeologists have dug deep through

layers of history

first for the jaw burials dating back

perhaps 3,000 years then in Gori cave or

remains going back 8,000 years is that

indication of philippine man

even earlier the answer is yes the

deputy director of the National Museum

dr. Alfredo Evangelista is collecting

charcoal from what must be must own age

cooking heart for carbon-14 dating it

was in there such as this the bones of

early man were found and dr. Evangelista

explains in 1962 by a team of

archaeologists from the National Museum

headed by dr. Robert B pop it is

believed that these bones were found in

a layer that was quite disturbed but the

closest group of stone tools which were

dated by carbon-14 gives a date of

between 20 2024 thousand for the age of

this human bone we have here the lower

jaw or mandible of a main

we found also in the same cave which was

cleaned earlier and is believed to be

very closely related to the NIA man of

Syrah and the Australian original and in

1971

dr. male walking towards cleaned and

analyzed is born in Australia let me

read to you a fortune with report in

which it said that when critically

compared with modular engine most resin

specimens the stubborn lower jaw was

observed to exhibit more characters of

the original Australian than those of

the one the proposition

therefore arises the instrument of the

ancestors of the Aboriginal Australian

where the ancestors of the tug Bwana the

people who were present in Palawan

twenty three thousand years ago if so

then they may have been more closely

related to the Aborigines of Australia

them to the modern Filipinos the

stratification is good the layers of

time show clearly at all levels stone

tools have been discovered and these can

give the answer to the dating of Stone

Age man in the table on cave

here above my head was the original

floor of the cave as we found it as we

began to excavate down to this level we

found this type of tool associated

charcoal at this level you know they see

14 date of about 9,000 years ago the

depth is here is about 55 centimeters we

continued to dig down to about this

level again we found essentially the

same type of tool the depth here is

about 145 centimeters and again we were

lucky to find charcoal which gave a

radio carbon-14 date of about 23,000

years ago continuing deeper and deeper

we found still a similar type of tool

here we found the oldest radio carbon-14

date at about 175 centimeters of

approximately thirty thousand years we

continued deeper and deeper and finally

found this level and the oldest

Assemblies of tools encountered we

estimate from the relationship of the

c14 dates to the depth a depth age

equation that this level is about fifty

thousand years ago we continue to go

deeper and deeper to the bedrock of the

cave about five meters

but the entire deposit here

unfortunately was sterile what is of

incredible significance is that in this

enormous span of time from about 9,000

clear down to fifty thousand years ago

man's tools and table bone caves did not

basically change we did find one other

type of tool

a large chopper made of igneous rock but

this is a very rare tool in Table one

cable less than 1% we even encountered

in a few instances these huge nodules of

chert which were obtained by agent man

in a nearby river bottom it was with

these that man was able to make the the

the church flakes that he utilized and

that we found hundreds of in the cave

and so 50,000 years of early Philippine

history has been revealed and brought

into better focus but a patient work of

the Philippine National Museum team

helped by its tag wanna friends and not

only early Philippine history the

horizon of knowledge about early man's

who are absoultely station and even was

from Asia as

greatly extended by the excavations in

the table on caves