Archeology 1 (2/3)

Summary

Archaeologists Dr. Evangelista and a colleague meticulously excavate a cave in the Philippines, uncovering a fragment of pottery that challenges the site's timeline. Over four years, they sift through soil with 1/8-inch mesh screens, revealing over 1500 burial jars spanning 2,000 BC to 500 AD. These jars, adorned with intricate designs, symbolize the Neolithic people's reverence for their ancestors, offering them noble resting places. The script also touches on the cultural practices of the Tabon people, who use jars in rituals to honor their ancestors, and the significance of sea shells in understanding the region's prehistoric connections to Southeast Asia.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Archaeologists found a pottery fragment that does not correspond to the time scale of the excavation level, indicating the complexity of dating artifacts based on their find spots.
• 🕵️‍♂️ The cave had multiple occupation periods, which complicates the interpretation of the artifacts found within it.
• 🗺️ The pottery was likely carried to a deeper level by natural processes like the diggings of the tabon bird, emphasizing the need for cautious interpretation of archaeological contexts.
• 🔎 Every piece of soil removed from the site was meticulously screened through a mesh to ensure no artifacts were overlooked, highlighting the meticulous nature of archaeological work.
• 🏞️ The limestone cliffs of Leor Point contain numerous caves and rock shelters, some of which were used for burials, showcasing the challenging terrain of the region.
• 🌊 Victor Dlan explored caves where over 1500 burial jars were discovered, dating from 2000 BC to 500 AD, revealing a significant span of cultural history.
• 🎨 A particular jar from the 8th Century BC is a beautiful and moving Neolithic work, decorated with designs and a human figure, symbolizing the spirit's journey into the afterlife.
• 🍶 The Tagana people still use jars for rituals, reflecting a cultural continuity with the jar burial people, and demonstrating the importance of honoring ancestors.
• 🌊 The sea around Le Point is shallow, suitable for a type of fish trap used by local Filipinos, suggesting cultural links to Southeast Asia.
• 🌊 The exploration of caves like Gory Cave, which was occupied during different periods, provides insights into the changing sea levels and the availability of marine resources for early inhabitants.

Q & A

What complication did Dr. Evangelista and the team face during the excavation?

Different parts of the cave had been occupied at different times, which complicated the interpretation of the artifacts found.

How did the pottery fragment found by Dr. Evangelista likely end up at a deeper level?

The pottery fragment likely ended up at a deeper level due to the diggings of the tabon bird, suggesting that it was carried there rather than being deposited during that time period.

What was the significance of the large quantities of soil being sifted through a screen with 1/8 inch mesh?

The sifting ensured that nothing was overlooked, allowing archaeologists to examine even the tiniest fragments, which is crucial for a thorough archaeological analysis.

Why are ladders made of rattan and bamboo important in accessing the caves at Leor Point?

Ladders made of rattan and bamboo are often the only way to reach the caves, which are high up in the limestone cliffs, and were historically used to place burial jars.

How many burial jars were discovered in the caves explored by Victor Dlan?

Victor Dlan discovered no less than 1500 burial jars in the caves he explored, which were in varying states of preservation.

What does the design on the reconstructed jar in the museum signify?

The design on the reconstructed jar includes eyes on the front to help convey the spirit of the dead, with a man seated in the prow and another steering with a paddle, symbolizing a journey across the dark seas into the afterlife.

What is the significance of the jars used by the Tagbanua people?

The jars are used by the Tagbanua people for balis (spiritual rituals) and are believed to house the spirits of their ancestors, who can bring blessings or cause sickness if neglected or offended.

How does the fishing gear used by the local Filipinos reflect their cultural ties to Southeast Asia?

The large type of fish trap used by local Filipinos is a type of fishing gear employed throughout the South China Sea and is not found further east in the Pacific, indicating a cultural link to Southeast Asia.

What does the presence of marine shells in the Gory Cave signify about early Philippine history?

The marine shells found in Gory Cave suggest that the cave was occupied during a time when the sea level had reached its present position, and shellfish were readily available for food, indicating the dietary habits and the environment of the period.

Why is the Gory Cave significant to archaeologists in the Philippines?

Gory Cave is significant because it was occupied during a time when a land bridge connected the Philippines with Borneo and Asia, and it provides evidence of the early human occupation and dietary habits through the thousands of sea shells found there.