FOREWORD

Test Pit is the academic chronicle of the graduate community of the Archaeological Studies Program. It is published twice a year, covering general interests in archaeology as well as a special focus on Philippine archaeology.

Editor
Andrea Malaya Ragragio

Layout
Taj Vitales

Test Pit banner
Antonio Peñalosa

Contributors to this issue:

Donna Arriola
Pauline Basilia
Fredeliza Campos
Jane Carlos
Nena de la Concepcion
Michelle Eusebio
Pamela Faylona
Vito Paolo Hernandez
Gay Lacsina
Charlene P. Manese
J. G. L. Medrana
Leee Neri
Janine Ochoa
Victor Paz
Anna Pineda
Aya Ragragio
ssebas
Edwin Valientes
Taj Vitales

Archaeological Studies Program
Palma Hall Basement
University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines, 1101
Tele fax: 9241836
email: asp@up.edu.ph
copyright 2005
 

You hold in your hands the first issue of Test Pit for the year 2006. A lot has transpired since the last edition of Test Pit. For one, there have been some changes in the editorial staff, for our previous editor, Pamela Faylona, is off to pursue further studies abroad. The adjustments we have had to make have caused this issue to come out a tad later than usual, and for this we apologize.

The Philippine archaeological community has also been very busy for the first half of the year, with the 18th IPPA Congress kicking off the first quarter. We put together a photo spread of the IPPA Congress to give readers a feel of (and for those who were there, relive) that rare occasion when the top archaeologists working in the region converged in our humble university. There truly is no rest for the weary, for the Congress was soon followed by the summer excavations, including the ASP Field School in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro. Also, for the third consecutive season, excavations were conducted at the Ille Rockshelter in El Nido, Palawan. The potential of this site has been more palpable after three years, for in this issue, we have five short articles on the rockshelter that deal with a host of topics that range from single artifacts to the bigger picture of the landscape. 

This brings me to my final point. In this volume we inaugurate a new section simply titled Notes that accommodates short descriptions, seed ideas and fresh insights on archaeological matters from recently concluded or on-going research projects. These articles may yet be too brief or too preliminary to make it into refereed journals, but it is nonetheless a good idea for these items to be made accessible to the general public to be cited and discussed further by our community. We encourage everyone, especially our junior archaeologists, to maximize this venue to hone their writing skills and jumpstart their archaeological imaginations.

The Editor

C

THE IPPAEVENT: More than 300 delegates from 32 countries gathered in Diliman for a week-long conference (plus tours and parties!). . . page 3
 

O
N

EVENTS

T

Manila Hosts the 18th Congress of the Indo-Pacific Prehistory
Association . . . 3

E

IPPA2006 Mid-conference Tour Showcases National Museum and
Intramuros . . . 6

N

A Triple Celebration at the ASP. . . 7
 

T

SUMMITS in ARCHAEOLOGY

S
 

The 2^nd AAHM Field School 2005 Report . . . 8

Ancient Cultures, New Technologies in Bangkok . . . 8
 

DELVE into ARCHAEOLOGY
 

Field School at Lumang Bayan ng Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro . . . 9
 

2006 Archaeological Research in Batanes . . . 11
 

Archaeological Impact Assessment in Calatagan . . . 12
 

The latest on the 2006 Excavation Season at the Ille Rockshelter . . . 13
 

Archaeology students paint Ille life in the past . . . 17
 

Urban Archaeology: GPR Survey in Makati . . . 17
 

Underwater Archaeology Update . . . 18
 

BINALOT TALK SERIES
 

Conklin Conquers the ASP. . . 19
 

A Reconsideration Of The Philippine Neolithic for the Binalot Hour . . . 19
 

Tracking the Austronesians . . . 20
 

Fire-making in Prehistoric Times: Identification of an Early Bronze Age
Lighter . . . 20
 

Notes on the Vertebrates of Sundaland and Wallacea . . . 21
 

Review of Dr. Katherine Szabo's Shell Fishhooks of the Pacific and Island
Southeast Asia . . . 22
 

Emotions Run High at the Binalot Talks. . . 22
 

NOTES
 

Notes on the Environmental Work Done in Conjunction with the Archaeological Excavations at Dewil Valley 2004-2006 . . . 25
 

Uranium Series Direct Dating of Mineralised Human Bones from Ille Site . . . 26
 

Exploring the 'Landscape' of a Pottery Sherd: Notes on the Ille Cave Rice
Imprints . . . 27
 

Notes on the Earthenware Jarlet from the West Mouth . . . 28
 

Pagsilip sa Isang Natatanging Artefak ng Ille . . . 29
 

Notes on the Decorative Attributes of Earthenware Sherds from the Cagayan de Oro sites . . . 31
 

Obsidian and Its Geochemical Results in the Philippines . . . 35
 

BOOK REVIEW

Navigating the Role of Maritime Technology in Ancient South Asian Societies . . . 38

2006 ILLE EXCAVATION: The latest excavations at the Ille cave site generated new insights (and surprises!) on the archaeology of Palawan . . . page 13

EVENTS

Manila Hosts the 18th Cangress Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association

Aya Ragragio

The UP Archaeological Studies Program and the National Museum of the Philippines played hosts to the 18^th Congress of the Indo-pacific Prehistory Association held last. March 20-26, 2006. The Congress was staged at the National Institute of Science and Mathematics Education Development (NISMED) in the UP-Diliman Campus.

In attendance were more than 300 delegates from 32 countries: Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, East Timor, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Micronesia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Vanuatu and Vietnam.

The Congress started off with an opening program with Dr. Wilhelm G Solheim II as the keynote speaker. The delegates were also addressed by Prof. Wilfredo P. Ronquillo, the Head of the Conference Committee; Chancellor Sergio S. Cao of UP Diliman; Director Corazon S. Alvina of the National Museum; Dr. Ambeth Ocampo, Chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts; and Dr. Tsang Cheng-hwa, IPPA President.

Over 300 papers were presented during the Congress, running the gamut of topics concerning Indo- Pacific prehistory and archaeology. These ranged from the Palaeolithic to early historical periods and to contemporary issues about conservation and resource management. Sessions also focused on specific geographical locations, as well as regional

questions dealing with climate change, maritime migration, and bio-archaeology. A special symposium was devoted to the work of P. Bion Griffin. Just for this year's congress, a session entitled the Philippines and the Region was inaugurated to serve as a unique venue for discussing archaeology in the host country and its relationship with the rest of Southeast Asia. Among the paper presenters were graduate students, researchers and faculty from the ASP and the National Museum, namely, Pauiine Basilia, Leo Batoon, Giovanni Bautista, Israel Cabanilia, Maharlika Cuevas, Darryl de, Leon, Eusebio Qizon PhD, Michelle Eusebio, Pamela Faylona, Vito Hernandez, Michael Herrera, Jack Medrana MD, Armand Mijares PhD, Bobby Orillaneda, Wilfredo Ronquillo, Sharon Teodosio and Taj Vitales.

But the Congress wasn't all just serious business. Delegates had the chance to kick back and relax at a sponsored dinner held at the Bonsai Garden on the evening of March 24, and another party for junior and Southeast Asian archaeologists. at the ASP was held the following night. There was a mid-conference tour and luncheon at the National Museum. Delegates also joined optional post- conference· tours to Northern Luzon and Palawan  organized by the National Museum's Archaeology, Division.

This is the second time that the IPPA Congress was held in the 'Philippines; the first took place in 1985 in Penablanca, Cagayan, As the, Congress is held every three to four years, we can expect the next IPPA Congress sometime in 2010.
 

IPPA 2006 MID-CONFERENCE TOUR SHOWCASES NATIONAL MUSEUM AND INTRAMUROS

J.G.L. Medrana

Delegates of the 18th Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association (IPPA) got a whole-day break from their paper-reading sessions in the University of the Philippines during the mid-conference tour last March 23, 2006. The whole day activity started with buses shuttling foreign participants from accommodations in Quezon City to their destinations: the National Museum of the Philippines and the historic city of Intramuros. The National Museum was the host of this affair, and was supported by staff and graduate students of the UP Archaeological Studies Program.

Photos courtesy of The National Museum of the Philipines, The National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the UP-ASP

Museum staff welcomed the IPPA delegates at the Museum of the Filipino People, a building that once housed the Department of Finance. They were shown the various galleries that presented the material heritage of the Filipino nation. A lunch buffet was served in the lobby fronting the Agrippina Circle of Rizal Park. As the delegates ate, the National Museum acknowledged the contributions of the big names in Philippine anthropology and archaeology by awarding them plaques in recognition of their life works. The awardees were Dr. F. Landa Jocano, Dr. Wilhelm Solheim II, Dr. Robert Fox (posthumous), Dr. Harold Conklin, Dr. Alfredo Evangelista, and Dr. E.Arsenio Manuel (posthumous).

The delegates were treated to an afternoon tour of the walled city of Intramuros. The attractions visited by our guests were Casa Manila, Light and Sound Museum, San Agustin Church, Fort Santiago, and Bahay Tsinoy. This was also a day for sightseeing and shopping, and some of the delegates went bargainhunting in the city's markets or for a sampling of Manila's famous sunset and nightlife.

A Triple Celebration at the ASP

Aya Ragragio

There were three reasons to celebrate at the Archaeological Studies Program last July 13. The orientation for new students, the launch of Danny Galang's new book and Prof. Willy Ronquillo's birthday were all held on that same day, despite the heavy downpour caused by typhoon Florita.

The ASP welcomed three new faces this semester, namely: Bernice Barona, Ferdinand de la Paz and Edwin Valientes. Bernice is a BAComparative Literature graduate from the UP College of Arts and Letters and currently works as a writer for UPDate. Ferdinand, or Nand for short, is an architect from the University of Santo Tomas and is also a member of the faculty there. Edwin, an Anthropology major from the UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, hails from Batanes and has volunteered in past archaeological research projects in that province. ASP director Dr. Victor Paz gave a power point presentation introducing the Program and the Philippine archaeological community to the new students.

The orientation was followed by a feast of lechon and other viands, plus beer in a keg. As the mood lightened even more (no doubt helped by the free-flowing drinks), Dr. Paz again took the stage to launch Danny Galang's new book. Among the Agta of the North Sierra Madre, published by Anvil, is part ethnography and part chronicle of the Sierra Madre expedition of 1996. Danny Galang himself also gave a speech, recounting how the publication of the book became a reality and how it almost came out "posthumously," referring to his recent bout with heart disease. A slideshow of black and white photographs taken by Danny during the Sierra Madre expeditions was flashed with the LCD projector in the ASP classroom.

The celebrations were in full swing when a chocolate birthday cake was brought out for Prof. Willy Ronquillo. The entire room sang a round of "Happy Birthday" for Prof. Ronquillo, after which he blew out the single birthday candle that discreetly hid the fact that he is the most senior Filipino archaeologist working today.

The suspension of classes on that day did not dampen the festivities in the ASP. There were three reasons to celebrate, and hopefully there will be many more as the archaeological community continues to expand, become more productive and reach its prime in the years to come.

Top. Group picture taking at the ASP including the Griffin family and the new students. Middle. Danny Galang giving a speech about his book. Right. Prof. Willie Ronquillo abollt to blow his birthday candle
 

SUMMITS in ARCHAEOLOGY

The 2nd AAHM Field School 2005 Report

Pamela G. Faylona

The Asian Academy for Heritage Management conducted a field school from December 1-12, 2005 in Hanoi, Vietnam. The field school focused on the theme "Conservation and Presentation of Archaeological Heritage in an Urban Context." The training constituted an integration of different approaches to assessing, evaluating and managing cultural heritage sites. The field school was also participated in by and conducted with the help of the UNESCO, ICCROM, Architectural Research Institute and Deakin University.

The Ba Dinh Archaeological Site was the focus of this field school. The site posed cultural heritage issues for city planners and  conservators. This field school includes lectures on integrated conservation management, policy and process. It also discussed archaeological site management in an urban context and site interpretation for the public.

Aside from lectures on conservation management, site visits were incorporated in the field school. The following sites were visited: the Ba Dinh Site, King Thien Palace, Forbidden City, Old Quarter, the National Museum of Vietnamese History and the Ethnological Museum. All of these sites are located in the city of Hanoi. At the city's outskirts, the Hoa Lu Citadel was also visited. These places were visited as examples of the rich culture of Viet Nam as seen through cultural materials as well as architectural structures, designs and landscapes.

The most important activity held in the field school was the group exercise. This is where the participants applied the conservation management systems and models in assessing and evaluating the Ba Dinh Archaeological Site. The group presented different possible solutions facing the site based on an integrated conservation management framework.

Twenty participants attended this field school. They had come from different countries like Australia, China, India, Mongolia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. All of the participants are professionals in their field and are advocates of conservation and heritage resources management. This synergy resulted in an Asian oriented proposal to conserve and present the Ba Dinh Archaeological Site.
 

Ancient Cultures, New Technologies in Bangkok

ssebas

Ancient Cultures, New Technologies - This was the theme of the GIS and Remote Sensing in Archaeology conference and workshop conducted on June 24-27, 2006 at the Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Center, Silpakorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. This was the first GIS conference held in Southeast Asia and plans were discussed to hold the conference annually.

The conference was divided into two parts. The first was open to the public where digital works on cultural studies were presented. Topics on digital work included art history of Myanmar and plotting the rise of cinema theaters in Paris, France. Attended by experts in the field of GIS and Remote Sensing from Europe, Asia and Australia, current works on the subject were presented and how it could be used in the field of archaeology. The second part was a limited enrollment workshop held at the Computer Center of Silpakorn University. The workshop was a combination of presentations, demonstrations and hands-on exercises in the application of the technology in the field of archaeological studies of Southeast Asia. It was attended by delegates from the countries of Burma, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

The workshop was headed by Geospatial expert Dr. Alan Forghani of University of New South Wales, Australia. He conducted tutorials and case studies of various Australian scenarios applicable to archaeology. Assisting him was Dr. Caverlee Cary of the GIS Center of University of Berkeley, California.

Dr. Peng Gong also from UC Berkeley discussed the latest LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology. This technology might be helpful in locating archaeological sites that are underneath canopies of trees. Of course, the principles of "ground truth" must be exercised, as lectured by Dr. Leedom Lefferts, Professor Emeritus of Drew University.

As the technology is drawing attention from all disciplines in the social and natural sciences, GIS and Remote Sensing has become an invaluable tool in helping researchers and decisionmakers anywhere in the world.
 

Initial surveys of Lumang Bayan ng Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro in 2005 showed that there was considerably enough material that the site merited an excavation. The excavation project itself was undertaken by the University of the Philippines Archaeological Studies Program with the help of the National Museum of the Philippines, and funded by Bulalacao Mayor Ernilo C. Villas, Fundacion Santiago, and the Spanish Program for Cultural Cooperation. The excavation, which served as ASP's summer field school, lasted for three weeks from April 19 to May 8, 2006. Prior to the field project itself, proper permissions were also secured from the concerned institutions.

The objectives of the project were:

1. to clarify the chronology of the site through analyzing the sequences of events as observed through the excavation,

2. to identify the nature of the ruins on the site before it had been destroyed,

3. to determine why the utilization of the site was discontinued,

4. to identify if there was an earlier culture within the area predating the construction of the structure.

After the excavation, the team held an exhibit for the local people and the sponsors. The exhibit contained information and maps concerning the project itself, the findings, and the next steps toward gathering more information.

The site

Bulalacao is a municipality situated at the south-eastern part of Oriental Mindoro. Lumang Bayan is separated from Lubok and Tabuk by the Caguray River, which leads to the open sea. The excavation site is on the top of a 20 meter hill in Lumang Bayan, and is surrounded by mangroves. At the top of the hill are the ruins of a suspected Spanish-era structure.

The foot of the hill is currently undergoing geographical change. These changes have been occurring quickly over the past few years. As evidenced by the NAMRIA map, Lumang Bayan was previously adjacent to Tabuk and Lubok, but is now estranged by the changing course of the Caguray River. Sand has continued to push inland, forming the swamp at the bottom of the hill, as well as at the edges of Lubok and Tabuk.
 

The ruins of what seems to be a stone tower are at the southern part of the hill, facing the sea. Near these, leading from the foot of the hill to the area near the tower, were several flat slabs that led upwards like steps. The remains of walls standing on both the eastern and western part of the hill were also found and assessed to be parallel to each other. While the western wall was completely destroyed with only rubble left, the eastern wall meanwhile has retained enough dressed stones. There was also what looked like the remains of an entrance. North of the tower are some cut slabs on the ground, which indicate some type of flooring.

Treasure hunters' pits were also found, one at the southern side of the tower ruin, and the other at the northern part of the hill. These were noted and recorded for future references.

Methodology

Prior to excavation, the team conducted a surface survey of the area, as well as familiarized themselves with the extant structures. Mapping was done using the Total Station. The datum point was established on a dressed stone located on the eastern wall with coordinates 121°19'65 N and 121°21'63 E.

All in all some 20 pits and other test pits and extensions were opened. Although three test pits were opened for general analysis, other pits were strategically placed on different areas to answer specific questions about the site. Some were placed beside positive features to determine the construction methods and sequence of the structures. Several trenches were also established at the bottom of the hill to find the sequence of the geographical changes and also to see how erosion and other natural occurrences may have affected the destruction of the area. The vertical profiles of the pits were also recorded. All the pits were backfilled before the team left the site.

Findings

Marine shells were abundant all over the hill, showing

Two students excavating the remaining walls of the ruins.

that these were a part of the diet of the people. There were also many stoneware sherds and some blue and white ceramics. Ceramic pipes and beads were found in two pits.

Evidence of riprapping and postholes were found in different areas of the site. Through the excavations (especially in Pit 7, Timog-Silangang Pader and Kanlurang-Hilagang Pader, and the stone stairs), there are indicators that there were at least two separate construction phases for the structure. Moreover, postholes and shell middens found outside the walls of the structure show that there is also the possibility of culture prior to the building of the structure in the area.

Finally, excavations at the bottom of the hill show that the erosion of the hill is uniform and, therefore, not a contributor to the destruction of the structure. Natural disasters such as a tsunami were also dismissed due to lack of evidence; however, the possibility of an earthquake is still not out of the question. House posts were also found around the area at the foot of the hill. These posts were made out of the locally named wood Mulawin, which is not commonly found in the swampy area. Moreover, these posts cut through the sand deposits and well through the cultural sediments before it. Other cultural materials such as potsherds and animal bones were found contemporary to the posts, suggesting that people lived there prior to the in changes of the area.

Conclusions

Despite the wealth of information that were gathered during the excavation, the purpose of the structure and the cause of its destruction still remains unanswered. With its strategic placing on top of the hill overlooking the open sea, as well as the presence of the stone tower, it can be concluded that it is either a lighthouse or a watchtower against invading Moros. However, the shallow depth of the wall foundations may mean that the walls were not for defensive purposes.

The postholes and shell midden outside the walls of the structure and at the bottom of the hill suggest that there were people possibly living in the area and not only within the structure itself. The quick changes in the geographical distribution and the lack of fresh water in the area may account to the abandonment of the area, as the changes now cannot support the presence of people. Likely, the structure and its ruins were also abandoned during these changes.
 

2006 Archaeological Research in Batanes
Edwin Valientes

A team of archaeologists from the National Museum of the Philippines, the Australian National University and the University of the Philippines Archaeological Studies Program led by Dr .Peter Bellwood of the ANU and Dr. Eusebio Dizon of the National Museum, were again in Batanes last March 27April 30 2006 to continue their archaeological research in the different islands of the province. Aimed at understanding further the early phase of the Neolithic dispersal from Taiwan to Luzon, the research is now in its fourth year and has been continually yielding interesting data since it began in 2002. Archaeological explorations and excavations this year were conducted on three different islands of Batanes namely: Itbayat Island, Siayan Island, and Sabtang Island.

Siayan Island, located to the north of Itbayat Island, is so far the northernmost island of Batanes reached by the team since 2002. During the first exploration of this island in 2004, core samples taken along the beach were found to be positive for early pottery. Systematic excavations conducted in the area this year have yielded a huge number of earthenware. sherds that are very much similar in rim forms as well as body thickness to those found in Anaro in Itbayat. These sherds, along with other materials such as a stone net sinker, were concentrated at the 50-60 cm level. An intriguing feature found In the excavation was composed of stock stones at the base of the lowest cultural layer, about 60 cm from the surface. The team hypothesized that this could be a foundation of a Neolithic house structure.

In Sabtang Island, excavations concentrated on Barangay Savidug. One trench was opened at the sandy area between the Savidug Ijang and the village of Savidug, and two squares were opened at the Hornedo Property, a small lot fronting the village chapel. At the Savidug site, charcoal and plain earthenware sherds were found in abundance. Several interesting artifacts were also recovered, some of which are found for the first time in the island, including earthenware rim sherds with circle- tamped design similar to pottery from Sunget in Mahatao, Batan Island, a stone net sinker, a pitted stone, clay earrings, a shell pendant, and a clay mold for a metal adze. Rescue excavation of two jar burials exposed at the road cut along the path connecting Savidug to Barangay Chavayan, located a hundred meters away from the south end of the village, was also conducted. Both jars were egg-shaped and deposited. in an upright position. They have been damaged by the road cut, with one of the jars being almost completely destroyed and its contents emptied out. Luckily, the other jar was relatively complete. and even retained its cover, which was another jar placed mouth-to-mouth over the burial jar itself. Human bones that might belong to several individuals, one of which was an adult female, were recovered inside this burial jar. Further exploration in some parts of Sabtang was also conducted, including coring surveys at Barangays Chavayan and Sumnanga. Barangay Sumnanga, located inland from Duvek Bay, proved to be the most promising. During coring, a thick deposit of pottery sherds was hit as far below as 160 cm from the surface.
 

Archaeological Impact Assessment in Calatagan
Donna Arriola

Recognizing the significance of Calatagan in Philippine archaeology, Landco Pacific Corporation contracted the Archaeological, Cultural, and Environmental Consultancy, Incorporated (ACECI) to conduct an archaeological impact assessment (AIA) before pushing through with the Playa Calatagan Project in Sta. Ana, Calatagan, Batangas. Covered in this AIA was the 92 hectare development site for the Seaside Residential Subdivision and Mixed Use Beachside Leisure- Commercial Tourism Development. The team was composed of Dr. Victor Paz, Nida Cuevas, Amalia dela Torre, Rey Bautista, Giovanni Bautista, Eduardo Bersamira, Leee Neri, Donna Arriola, Jane Carlos, Rojo Padilla, Aya Ragragio, and Archie Tiauzon.

In preparation for the project, a permit was obtained from the Cultural Properties Division of the National Museum of the Philippines. Courtesy calls to the mayor and local government officials were also carried out at the beginning of the project.

The area under investigation was divided and labeled Area A, Area B, Area C, and Area D. The group was split into four teams to handle each area to assess whether archaeological materials were present there. Each team carried a kit containing samples of artifacts to show to the locals to see if they had encountered such materials within the vicinity. Thirty-one test pits were opened, the dimensions of which ranged from 1x1m to 3x3 m. The artifacts recovered from a number of test pits include stoneware jar sherds, shells, celadon and decorated earthenware.

Overall, the evaluation of ACECI is that the areas that will be affected by the infrastructure development yielded no significant archaeological materials or cultural resources at risk. This was concluded from the negative results of the informant interviews, test pits and surface collection. On the other hand, the applied boundaries of the Mixed -Use Beachside Leisure Commercial-Tourism Development yielded archaeological materials from the test pits. However, these archaeological materials were sparse. It was determined this was once an archaeological site that was destroyed by mechanical plowing, the construction of a fish and prawn pond, and other massive earthmoving activities. Also, there were cases of looting in the past that may have contributed to the destruction of the archaeological resources.

The last recommendation given to Landco is to alert the National Museum and initiate rescue work in case preserved sections of possible archaeological sites near the coast is uncovered in the process of earth moving.
 

Itbayat Island has yielded the most interesting results. A couple of test pits were dug for the first time at the Reranum rock shelter, which is located in the northern part of Itbayat. There the team found earthenware" sherds with cord-marked design, which may be associated with Tapenkeng culture in Taiwan. At the well-known Anaro site, which has produced many important artifacts from last year's fieldwork such as polished stone adzes, red slipped and circle-stamped sherds, slate and nephrite, excavations continued and has yielded more of the same materials. A separate group, led by Dr. Dizon, broke off from the Anaro excavation for a while to further investigate the boat shaped stone mounds in Pamayugan at the central eastern part of Itbayat. Six boat shaped mounds were identified but only two were excavated. The primary purpose of the excavation was to extract datable material and also to determine if the mounds were used for burial, as was those found in Vuhus Island and Nakamaya in Batan Island. Unfortunately, however, no human bones or any materials that could indicate that they were used as burials were found in the two mounds. The excavation yielded only a few earthenware sherds. This is probably due to the high acidity of the soil in the area, which can hasten the disintegration of even tough materials like bone.

The 2006 Batanes team was composed of Peter Bellwood, PhD, Eusebio Dizon, PhD, Mandy Mijares, PhD, Daud Tanudirjo, PhD, Hsiao-chun Hung, Yoshi Iizuka, Sandy de Leon, Gay Lacsina, Tony Penalosa, Aya Ragragio, Archie Tiuazon, and the author.

Artifacts recovered during the excavation.
 

Introduction

A team of archaeologists from the University of the Philippines Archaeological Studies Program and abroad excavated at the Ille Rockshelter, El Nido, Palawan last April 6 to May 26, 2006. Two batches comprised the archaeological team. The first batch from the ASP was composed of Anna Jane Carlos, Vito Paolo Hernandez, Myra Grace Lara, Sharon Fiel Teodosio, Emil Charles Robles, Janine Therese Ochoa and Jack Gilbert Medrana.

Joining the first batch were Dr. Helen Lewis from Oxford University, Jonathan Kress from Arizona, Lindsay Lloyd Smith from Cambridge University, Dr. John Krigbaum from the University of Florida, Dr. Janelle Stevenson and Helen Selimiotis from Australian National University, Anusorn Amphansri from the Highland Archaeology Project in Mae Hong Son, Thailand, Dr. Michael Bird from St. Andrew's University in Ireland, Dr. Bird's brother and cousin Andrew Marfleet and Natalie Melville, respectively, and Ramon Bandong from the Institute of Biology at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

The second batch arrived in the third week of May. They were Dr. Victor Paz, Ronnie Alonzo, Donna Mae Arriola, Pauline Grace Basilia, Fredeliza Campos, Zeneida Elena de la Concepcion, Rojo Guerrero Padilla and Anna Carla Pineda.

Michelle Eusebio and Timothy James Vitales from the ASP excavated from the beginning till the end of the season.

This season's excavations continued the work done in 2004 and 2005, and pursued the same general objectives: to search for human occupation beyond 10,000 years ago and to better understand the interaction of people and the landscape of the Dewil Valley in the
 

past. The excavations also aimed to understand the sequence of burials and the nature of the shell middens at both mouths of the rockshelter, and further expose the layer associated with deer antlers and chert flakes.

For this year, the East Mouth trench was extended by a meter on both its east and west sides, and its six squares were deepened further. This trench was connected to the East Chamber via the East Chamber Long Trench. The West Mouth was also deepened. A new 2m x 2m trench was opened at the far west end of the West Mouth, which was called the Ihian Cave trench. Several areas were explored to gather additional data for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and to look for other potential sites.

The East Mouth

The east mouth trench was further deepened in the northern grids (N3W2, N3W3, N4W2, and N4W3) with the aim of understanding the stratigraphy in the deeper levels and in the hopes of finding another earlier cultural layer. Animal bones and chert materials were found at the deeper levels in N3 strip which is still context 866 (a cultural layer which was uncovered last year in the N4 strip; this context is sloping southward) while the N4 strip is almost sterile. At the same time this trench was also extended in the east and the west for stability (since the trench was very deep). The opening of the WI and W5 strips revealed burials in good context and several interesting artifacts. Among these were jade lingling-os, shell discs, fragments of Melo shell artifacts, beads made of shell, metal and glass, and a Spanish coin dated 1761. Soil samples were collected in the deeper levels for soil micromorphology and pollen analysis. All the shells found in the W5 and WI strips were collected for further subsistence studies (these portions reached the main shell midden layer). The deepest level reached in this trench was 4.17 meters.

The East Chamber and Long Trench

The East Chamber excavation was extended towards the East Mouth excavation area, which covered 9 grid squares from the East Mouth into the cave. These are N6W2 to N14W2. The general objective of the East Chamber excavations was to see how this trench relates to the stratigraphy, chronology, and cultural phases in the East Mouth trench. Also, the East Chamber Long Trench was laid out to locate or follow the main shell midden layers already excavated in the East Mouth trench and is seen to be sloping up into the cave's interior. Eleven graves were exposed, recorded and retrieved. Two of them had east-west orientations, which have been established as belonging to an earlier burial phase than the north-south oriented burials. One of the burials had a set of accessories with lots of beads. A preserved wooden post was found beside one of the graves. Aside from this, there were three possible postholes between
 

the two graves at N11W2. Other significant finds include a rock with diamond-shaped engravings, chert flakes, stone tool and an obsidian flake. Three distinct natural features were observed during the excavation that helps reconstruct the depositional history of the cave towards the platform. The 6000 year old shell midden exposed at the East mouth of the cave did not extend into the East Chamber.

The West Mouth

The West Mouth trench in this season was excavated in all 16 grid squares. At the northern grids (part of N3 strip, N4 and N5 strips), the remnants of the aceramic shell midden dominated by Polymesoda erosa shells and calcareous earth (limestone or gypsum) were excavated. Two other shell layers were excavated below the a ceramic shell midden. The first layer was dominated by Anadara sp. in a poorly sorted mid to dark reddish brown clayey sand, and the other was a layer of compact moderately sorted dark orangy brown clayey sand rich in chert flakes, deer bones, shells, charcoal fragments. The latter layer has Polymesodaerosa, as well as other shells which were not found at the upper shell middens, such as Helicostyla sp., Isognomon sp., Melanoides sp. and Anadara sp. The southern grids (N2 and part of N3 strip) have earthenware pottery distinctive of the Neolithic age all the way down to 220 cm.

Additional features were encountered at grid squares N5W15, N5W14 and part of N5W13 at the northwest corner of the trench. One of these features is a group of shells lying in a circular manner within the border of N5W15 and N5W14. There is an accumulation of shells, animal bones, earthenware sherds and a few lithic materials within the eastern segment of N5W14 at a depth of 130 centimeters. These deposits lay almost at the same level as the shell layer composed mostly of Anadara sp. A combustion feature was explored at the southeastern section of N5W15. This area has an aggregate of dark colored shells and stones. At N5W13, a remnant of the shell midden within a bigger pit was uncovered, and contained more animal bones and shells as well as pottery sherds.

Other interesting finds in this trench aside from the earthenware pottery sherds from the Neolithic deposits, the chert flakes and deer bones of the Palaeolithic layers are the earthenware jarlet, the shell bracelet made from Tridacna gigas, more than ten large fragments of Melo borderipii shell artifacts, shell beads of various sizes and shapes, big oyster shells, fragments of a possible burial jar, two black polished adzes, cremated skull fragment, crushed skull within the shell midden, jade bead and a cobble with a diamond-shaped engraving. The excavation ended at 220 cm for most squares, with the deepest being 270 cm at N3W13, N4W13 and N5W13.

The Ihian Cave

A 2m x 2m trench was opened on the platform in front of a smaller opening at the West side of the karst and is about 23 meters away from the West mouth trench. It was opened to investigate whether the archaeology extends to this portion of the platform. Another question to be answered was how deep the archaeology is and how it was related to the other trenches.
 

The large number of shell beads that were unearthed along with other shells (both worked and not worked), human and animal bones, and ceramics (tradeware and earthenware) showed promise for a substantial amount of archaeology for the area. Worth noting is the presence of shell beads made from Strombus luhuanus. This is the first time that shell beads of this type have been recovered from the site. Other interesting finds include a mat impressed metal implement, shell scoop fragments, paddle-impressed pottery sherds, and a macaque tooth that may have been part of a necklace. The latter artifact is possibly similar to the grave good found the previous season in the West Mouth.

The burials that were expected to appear did not. Four layers were exposed during the excavation. The fourth layer has dry and damp maroon sediments, which is likely to represent a burning event and is similar in color and texture as the sediment in much deeper levels in the West Mouth. The prospects for going deeper in this trench next season are high. The last feature to be revealed before backfilling was a cluster of rocks that will be investigated next summer.

Survey for additional palaeoenvironmental data

There is a hypothesis that parts of the Dewil Valley, especially the low-lying areas, were once lakes. To prove this, several surveys were done by Vito Paolo Hernandez, Emil Charles Robles, and several other researchers for possible auger sites around the valley. They were able to identify seven potential sites for augering. They also accompanied the Bird Family led by Dr. Michael Bird for high resolution sampling of guano at the Makangit area to help clarify the change environment. After five days, botanical and core site surveys were done with Dr. Janelle Stevenson and Ramon Bandong. Sediment coring at the Minano site was done 09 April 19, 2006. All of these surveys and samplings were done enhance the paleoenvironmental data available for the research excavation.

For the first time in the Philippines, ostracod sampling was done in order to develop a reference collection. This was done in conjunction with Vito's surveys and core samplings with Dr. Fernando Siringan and Zoan Riotita of the UP National Institute for Geological Sciences and Dr. Kamia Takahara of the University of Kanazawa (Japan) at the coast of Villa Paz, Sibaltan, Bacuit Bay, New Ibajay coast and Dewil River. Ostracods are crustaceans that are useful indicators of the palaeoenvironment.

Tonio Cave

Tonio cave is located at the back of the Ille Karst and was first explored by Timothy James Vitales and Jomer Danay. It was surveyed by a team led by Dr. Paz the next day, May 16. The way to the cave is quite dangerous because of the sharp rocks and crevices one has to go through to reach this cave. Burial jar and pottery sherds of different types, some of which have decorations, were collected from within the crevices. Human bones,

shell artifacts (Turbo marmoratus shell spoon fragment and Melo borderipii shell scoop), and a huge stone adze fragment were also recovered.

Makangit Area

The team also surveyed three areas around the Makangit Area on the afternoon of May 23. These are Maliit na Kuweba, Makangit Maliit Cave and Romano Cave. The Maliit na Kuweba has already been pothunted. No
 

materials were collected from this cave. Three large pits were left by pothunters in the Makangit Maliit Cave. The remains of two individuals were left exposed. Cranium fragments and pottery sherds were collected. Lastly, numerous metal period pottery sherds were collected from the Romano Cave, which is located at the central tower of the Makangit.

Summary

The excavation season ended with the backfilling of soil in the trenches and a party at the site for the local residents. The team then went to Calitang for a two day rest. Included in this two day rest was an exploration of a cave with an underground river, which is a kilometer or two from the house of Dr. Solheim. Before going back to Manila, the team went island hopping in the Big and Small Lagoons of EI Nido.

Archaeology students paint Ille life in the past

Michelle S. Eusebio

Five archaeology students who joined the latest season of excavation at the Ille Cave and Rockshelter, El Nido, Palawan participated in the opening day of the Second Kalugtan Arts Festival. Upon the invitation of Arvin Acosta - one of the event organizers - Anna Jane Carlos, Michelle Eusebio, Vito Paolo Hernandez, Myra Grace Lara and Timothy James Vitales helped paint a mural depicting life at the Ille Rockshelter in the past.

The Second Kalugtan Arts Festival was a four-day event that lasted from May 10 to 13, 2006 with exhibits, performances, workshops and fora. "Kalugtan" is a Cuyonen word for "kalupaan" or land. This year's theme

was "Pasiglahin ang kulay ng kalikasan". The event started with a parade on the morning of May 10. The registration and opening program, which was graced by Mayor Edna Gacot-Lim and Vice Mayor Leonor Bangan-Corral, followed afterwards. Bong Acosta, Tani Distal, Loy Datuin and Arvin Acosta of El Nido Artists headed the event, with support coming from the Municipal Tourism Office, El Nido Foundation, Balay Tubay, El Nido Tour Guide Association, El Nido Pumpboat Operators and Owners, Philippine Coast Guard Auxillary and Islanon Band. Thirteen artists handled the art workshops for children and adults.

The archaeologists enjoyed a day of creative pursuits, shopping for ukay-ukay and hanging out at Balay Tubay. They stayed overnight at Christopher Gallego's house in the El Nido town proper afterwards.
 

Urban Archaeology: GPR Survey in Makati
Donna Arriola

An archaeological survey using ground-penetrating radar was carried out at the Makati Pumping Station last March 14, 2006. The objective of this undertaking is to try to locate possible Manila ware kiln sites.

Based on Beyer (1946) and Barbosa's (n.d.) articles, the Manila ware kilns were once located in the Guadalupe area. Our rationale for choosing the site was largely inspired by Danilo Galang, a teacher and long-time Makati resident. He had told us that during his childhood, a brick kiln was still in operation in what is now the driveway of the

pumping station. The kiln could have previously been producing Manila ware and was later reused as a brick kiln. We then decided to collaborate with geologists from the UP National Institute for Geological Sciences (NIGS) in conducting a remote-sensing survey at the area.

Earth probe, a company which was established by geologists Dr. Mahar Lagmay, Arlene Tengongciang, and Mark Lapus, agreed to help us with this project free of charge.

By 9:20 am, the team, composed of Mark Lapus from Earth probe and the NIGS, and two Archaeological Studies Program (ASP) students namely myself and Rojo Padilla, were already setting up the area for the survey. We first determined the area for survey. At first it was just supposed to be the driveway but we decided to obtain data from all the paved sections which surrounded the water reservoir. We laid down a grid with one meter intervals with chalk and measured the distance for each of the five sections we were going to obtain data from. Mark loaded his laptop, the GPR unit and the 400mHz antenna onto the cart. We were using the same equipment used to locate the victims of the Leyte mudslide which had happened just a few days before the survey.

When the equipment were all properly connected, we started taking readings, taking note of humps, breaks in the cement and underlying structures on the station's blueprint that may be reflected as anomalies on the raw data. During our survey, we found a stoneware sherd on the pavement. Also, on our previous visit, we had found potsherds on the unpaved parts of the property.

By 2:00pm we were done with the survey. We were warmly sent off by the head of the station, Engr. Pepito Bautista. The team then headed for Mandaluyong for merienda at Mark's place and then went back to ASP. A full report will be written once the processing and interpretation of the raw GPR data is finished. The team plans to survey the Guadalupe Minor Seminary in the future as well as open a test pit in the surveyed area based on what the data will tell us.

References:

Barbosa, A. n.d. The Manila Ware. Manuscript in the National Museum of the Philippines.

Beyer, H.O. 1946. Manila Ware. Museum and Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology Bulletin No.1.
 

Underwater Archaeology Update
Gay Lacsina

The Underwater Archaeology Section of the National Museum has been operating in two excavation projects for the past 6 months. Both projects are located in Palawan, and both are on wrecks suspected to be British vessels.

The Tagbita Site project in the Municipality of Rizal is done in partnership with United Asia Ocean Quests, Inc. (UAOQI), and has been ongoing for several field seasons. The site lies at a depth of 27 meters and has only been partially exposed. This is due to difficulties related to poor visibility during excavation, as the wreck lies in silty sediment. This project is expected to continue for a number of seasons more.

The Great Danger Bank Site, Balabac is a joint venture with Frontier Sealand Research Foundation, Inc. (FSRFI). This season's excavations have revealed the shipwreck remains to be incomplete, likely to have been broken up during the wreckage, with the bulk of its cargo still to be found. With a portion of the wreck already exposed, future plans involve the electronic survey of the surrounding area to find the remainder of the ship.

With the approach of the southwest monsoon season, the two projects are expected to be temporarily halted until more favorable winds from the northeast return.

BNALOT TALK SERIES

Conklin Conquers the ASP

Taj Vitales

One of the opportunities you get in the binalot talks is the chance to meet famous scholars whom you only knew in books and journal articles. This is where you can get to know them personally and talk with them face to face. But on the 26^th of January, 2006 this chance became a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

It was on this day that the ASP had the honor to have world-renowned anthropologist Dr. Harold Conklin as guest speaker in a binalot talk entitled Why do Ancient Scripts Persist? Dr. Conklin, who is the former chairperson of the Anthropology Department at Yale University, has done ethnographic fieldwork among the Hanunoo Mangyans of Mindoro and the Ifugaos in the Mountain Province. He began his talk by sharing his latest trip to Palawan to visit some Tagbanwa groups. This latest visit surprised him because he found out that the Tagbanwas still practice writing in their indigenous script unlike the Hanunoo Mangyans of Mindoro who he believes are losing their indigenous writing system because only a few elders are left in the community who know their ancient alphabet.

How do they remember their alphabet? In his study among the Tagbanwas and the Mangyans, he found out that they do practice memorizing the abecedarian formula in two ways. One is through reading the alphabet aloud and pointing to each diacritic sign while chanting as rapidly as possible. The other one is through a mnemonic device created for the whole abecedarian formula. The most frequent ordering of this alphabet in the Philippines ('u, 'a, 'i, la, ma, da, ga, ta, na, ka, ba, sa, pa, ya, nga, wa) can also be translated as (if recited) "Uai! But we can't read 'payangawa'!" Concerning the Tagalog scripts, he said that it is possible that this is also the ordering of their alphabet and they might also be memorizing it in the same way.

The whole talk stimulated the minds of everyone in the room. Everyone flocked together afterwards to have a chance to talk to him, take pictures with him and even ask for his autograph. It was indeed a rare experience!

A Reconsideration Of The Philippine Neolithic for the Binalot Hour
J.G.L. Medrana

One of the more popular topics in Philippine archaeology today concerns the archipelago's Neolithic phase, a time when the practice of plant and animal domestication was starting to gain importance among ancient Filipino communities. A favorite topic in archaeological research, the Neolithic in the country has been spawning several questions regarding its characteristics and origins. It is timely that the ASP Director, Dr. Victor Paz, brought out perspectives and issues on the subject when he presented his Binalot talk entitled A Fresh Look at the 'Neolithic' of the Philippines on February 2, 2006 at the ASP lecture room.

This Binalot episode tackled our understanding of the country's Neolithic and suggested ways of viewing it from pertinent information presently available to us. Dr. Paz reminded us that the concept of a "Neolithic" was part of Old World chronologies that referred to the phase when agriculture, sedentism, polished stone tools and pottery came into existence and began to exert major influences on life ways. He pointed out that the dominant explanation at present for the origin of the Philippine Neolithic is the Austronesian expansion, and this is the one Neolithic believed to have spread throughout the archipelago.

Using new data from the Palawan excavations, Dr. Paz proposed that there could be other Neolithic cultures which flourished in the country (and in the rest of Island Southeast Asia as well) aside from the ones brought in by the Austronesian speakers. He cited the well-developed shell industry situated within the lower "aceramic" layers of the Ille Cave site. He entertains the idea that there could also be "multiple Neolithics" in Luzon, and to support this, Neolithic settlement sites have to be found. This Binalot session has thus provided an avenue for alternative treatments, and for breaking the hegemony of dominant beliefs, that involves an important component of the Philippine past.

Tracking the Austronesians
Jane Carlos

Roger Blench of Mallam Dendo Ltd. gave a talk on New Aspects of the Austronesian Expansion at the Archaeological Studies Program (ASP) last February 9, 2006. The presentation emphasized the importance of studying the expansion of the Austronesians through a multi-disciplinary approach involving genetics, linguistics, material culture and archaeology. The reason for this is the evolution of the linguistic term Austronesian, which started with Dempwolff in the 1930s, into a concept that encompasses the different disciplines just mentioned.

According to Blench, it was in the 1970s when Bellwood probably first picked up "Austronesian" as an archaeological concept. The term Austronesian now refers to a language, a group of people, a cultural package and a way of life. With the multi-disciplinary approach, Blench finds it "now quite legitimate to identify the wide-ranging migrations of the Austronesians well beyond their attested linguistic boundaries." Cited are Mahdi's indicators like coconut-eating, buffalo-sacrificing fishermen and snake-bird-sacred tree cults in early Indian literature which suggest the presence of Austronesians. He also presented arguments for some key terms in South India as having Austronesian origins. The Austronesians are likewise represented by the Chamic speakers in Viet Nam and the Daic (Tai-Kadai) languages in China. He discussed a new hypothesis by Ostapirat wherein the Austronesians went back to China/ Taiwan then mixed with the Chinese languages. This created the Daic language, whose speakers have blackened teeth, practiced dental evulsion (or the knocking out of the two front teeth) and built distinct houses. Austronesians could also have been present in the East African coast, but this still requires more archaeological evidence.

There is a strong argument for the South China origin of Austronesians based on material culture (distribution of artifacts) and genetic evidence. For now this is the dominant theory (see Bellwood 1984-85), but contrary views exist as well (Solheim 198485, Meacham 1984-85). Solheim even refuses to use the term Austronesian to refer to a group of people, because for him this is strictly a linguistic concept (Solheim 2006).

There's a big difference, but one can't help but be reminded of Gavin Menzies' controversial book 1421 wherein he states that the early 15th century Chinese fleets supposedly reached the New World, Australia and Antarctica (among others), ahead of European explorers. Maritime experts have contradicted Menzies and they may be right. Blench is probably on the same 'boat' as Menzies with the ideas that he has put forth about the Austronesians. However, it cannot be denied that interesting possibilities have been raised by Blench - all of which are, fortunately, open to refutation or corroboration, the dynamics of which is what defines science.

Literature Cited

Bellwood, Peter. 1984-1985. A Hypothesis for Austronesian Origins. Asian Perspectives 26: 107-117.

Meacham, William. 1984-1985. On the Improbability of Austronesian Origins in South China. Asian Perspectives 26: 89-106.

Solheim, Wilhelm G. II. 1984-1985. The Nusantao hypothesis: the origin and spread of Austronesian speakers. Asian Perspectives 26: 77-88.

Solheim, Wilhelm G. II. 2006. Archaeology and Culture in Southeast Asia: Unraveling the Nusantao. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press.

_______________________________________________________________

Fire-making in prehistoric Times: Identification of an Early Bronze Age Lighter

Michelle S. Eusebio

Returning to the Philippines after two years in Germany, Dr. Pawlik visited the country for a couple of months to attend and head a session at the 18th Indo Pacific Prehistory Association Congress held here at the University of the Philippines Diliman. During his stay, he presented a Binalot Talk to the archaeological community at the UP Archaeological Studies Program on February 16, 2006 entitled Fire-making in Prehistoric times, about a Bronze Age pocket lighter.

Before going to the gist of his topic, he introduced the principles of use wear analysis to everyone. Like any other method in archaeology, data is gathered then analyzed and interpreted, from which ancient life ways could be reconstructed.

(cant. on p. 21)
 

(Fire-making . . . cont. from p. 20)

In this case, the ancient technology to be reconstructed is that of fire making. Dr. Pawlik says that the materials for a percussion lighter are flint, firesteel, tinder (eg. dried Fomes fomentarius) and spill as an inflammable miter (eg. birch tar, which is very ideal due to its essential oil content). The sparks are created by striking the flint against the steel. Then, the tinder catches these sparks and a flame starts to grow. Lastly, the spill is added to the burning tinder. In the past, iron ores, especially marcasite and nodular pyrite, were used as fire steel. So, the presence of such nodules in various sites suggests the use of this technique.

Dr. Pawlik analyzed several materials excavated from the early Bronze Age burial site (3475 +/- 39 BP) of Bornheim-Sechtem in the lower Rhine valley in Germany. J. Gechter-Jones from the Department of Antiquities of the state of North Rhine-Westfalia directed the site's excavation in 1993. The burial contained an adult male and a child buried in typical squatting positions. Seven flint artifacts that served as grave goods were subjected to use wear analysis and were identified as one multipurpose tool (used as a chisel and as a striking tool), a couple of chisels used on harder organic materials (like bones, antler and wood) and four flakes without any use traces. A hematite nodule was also among the grave goods. This nodule had silica embedded in its striations, indicating dynamic contact with flint. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays, in addition to optical analysis with high and low power microscopy, were the methods used in the identification of these tools.

These grave goods were determined to be components of an ancient fire-making kit. However, there was a discrepancy in the traces. The fire striker had intensive

use wear while the hematite nodule had only a few striations. It can then be assumed that the striking tool had seen plenty of usage, while the hematite nodule had not. Furthermore, hematite is known to be an inferior firesteel material and is not the best producer of sparks. Several questions related to human behavior are then raised in this study: Despite all the grief, did relatives perhaps decide to keep the original firesteel and instead give an inferior substitute? Or was it because hematite could also double as a symbolic offering to the dead? Perhaps they thought that what is good in the world of the dead might be even better (and more practical) in the world of the living!

This study was the first time that a complete percussion lighter set was identified in an archaeological context. Also, it is a successful combination of experimental archaeology and use-wear analysis.
 

Notes on the Vertebrates of Sundaland and Wallacea
Janine Ochoa

Dr. Philip J. Piper, during an extended visit to the ASP early this year, graciously provided a talk for the Binalot Series entitled Pleistocene vertebrate migrations and hominid colonization of Island Southeast Asia. He presented an overview of biogeographic concepts and categories central to the study of past Southeast Asian vertebrate populations and posed several hypotheses regarding hominid and vertebrate migrations.

Island Southeast Asia is broadly divided into two biogeographic divisions: Sundaland and Wallacea. Sundaic faunas are characterized by a high degree of diversity and low levels of endemism. The inverse is said to be true for Wallacea. Sundaic faunas have pronounced affinities with mainland SE Asian faunas, largely due to Sundaland's geological and geographic history.

Insularity, as observed by many specialists, lends distinct and often extreme characteristics to the living (in this case vertebrate) populations of specific localities. Conforming to the 'size.-area relationship,' a biogeographic concept of wide applicability, many insular species show features of  dwarfism and gigantism. Popular examples are the komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), the dwarfed stegodon (Stegodon sondaari) and the celebrated and controversial hominid, Homo floresiensis.

Dr. Piper presented records and figures concerning the region's biostratigraphy and associated faunal successions, all of which are derived from studies of established faunal assemblages. The earliest record of vertebrates (belonging to archaic faunas) is dated to the Early Pleistocene from the Satir fauna of Java. Modern faunas purportedly replaced the archaic
 

Review of Dr. Katherine Szabo's Shell Fishhooks of the Pacific and Island Southeast Asia

Pauline Basilia

Presented on March 2, 2006, Dr. Szabo's Binalot Bag talk was entitled Shell Fishhooks from Island Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Taking data from a part of her Ph D dissertation, she opened with the artifacts' relevance to Philippine assemblages. She admitted that shell fishhooks are not particularly associated with archaeological sites in the Philippines, apart from those recovered in Batanes. With the skills like that of a seasoned mariner, Dr. Szabo discussed the place of fishhooks in the different contending theories on the peopling of Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Dr. Szabo described the four shell fishhooks found in Lapita sites: Trochus niloticus jabbing/ rotating hook (early and middle Lapita sites), Turbo marmoratus rotating hook (early Lapita), Turbo spp. rotating hook and Trochus niloticus composite spinners (rare; considered Micronesia/Polynesia). She showed the morphologically different shell fishhooks that have existed in Lapita sites through time. To answer the controversy of the connection between ISEA and Lapita fishhooks, she turned to Timor fishhooks. Dr. Szabo showed that the Timor fishhooks, even if they were also made from Trochus niloticus, are morphologically different from any of the Lapita fishhooks. They were made from a different part of the shell; therefore, they have different properties as a hook. The Near- Oceania pre-Lapita fishhooks were also presented. There is only one finished fishhook recovered in a pre-Lapita site; however, manufacturing debris have been documented.

In conclusion, Dr. Szabo found no single shell fishhook tradition within Lapita. Furthermore, she gently refuted the ISEA and Lapita connection through the Timor fishhooks. Even if the Timor fishhooks were similar to the ISEA, it couldn't be connected to the Lapita fishhooks. In addition, the Batanes shell fishhooks and Timor fishhooks, although barely discussed, had more of a relationship with Micronesia, yet its relationship is also highly questionable.
 

island faunas by the Late Pleistocene. Examples of these modern assemblages are the Punng and Wajak faunas.

A major question he posed concerns the timing of hominid colonization in relation to the proposed faunal turnovers. Did morden humans colonize with these moders faunas? The picture is complicated and made more fascinating by the conplicated and made more fascinating by the contemporaneous presence of another hominid species, H. floresiensis and perhaps also H. crectus. For the meantime, the many gaps in the vertebrate fossil record of the region can only afford conjectures Certain areas, like Java, have provided a wealth of paleontological and archaeological data, but other areas, like jthe Philippine archipelogical data , but other areas, like the Philippine archipelago , show a paucity of archipelago data, but other areas, like the Philippine archipelago, show a paucity of information Hopefully, future research can address this issue and Dr. Piper's talk was a good place to start.
 

Emotions Run High at the Binalot Talks
Aya Ragragio

Things got emotional, so to speak, at the Archaeological Studies Program last March 9, 2006. Emotions took center stage on that day's Binalot Talk, entitled The Archaeology of Emotion with the Anthropology Department's Dr. Eufracio Abaya leading the discussion.

Dr. Abaya's talk delved into the archaeological study of emotion, a topic largely unexplored or taken for granted in the archaeological literature. He started by sharing an article written by Sarah Tarlow entitled "Emotion in Archaeology". The article, from the December 2000 issue of Current Anthropology, looks at how emotional phenomena have been treated by archaeology as well as other disciplines, and tries to answer why the study of emotion is not only possible, but necessary, in our study of the past.

The talk began with a discussion on the different definitions and approaches to studying emotion in the fields of anthropology, psychology and biology. Each discipline has its own take on whether emotions are universal, natural and therefore unchanging, or constructed, cultural and therefore variable. It appears that the lack of archaeological

(cont. on p. 23)
 

(Emotions ... cont. from p. 22)

discourse on emotion stems from the neglect of the dimension of time in the study of emotions. According to Tarlow's article, the archaeological study of emotions is necessary because (1) emotions are not natural or pre-cultural, and have indeed been attributed by archaeologists to ancient peoples before, (2) emotions are absolutely central to human experience and how society works, (3) we have to do justice to the people of the past by understanding their volition and  motivations, and (4) critical awareness of the variability of emotion denaturalizes some of our present emotional values, which can have important political implications. Furthermore, because archaeology has increasingly addressed issues of cognition, meaning and value, emotions can thus no longer be neglected, or treated separately from other aspects of cultural human experience.

The. audience both laughed and cried (literally) as the discussion wound down to the sharing of matters both archaeological and emotional, such as experiences in the field, or personal stories of being confronted with sites or artifacts with a strong emotional impact. This talk has helped open another realm of human experience for archaeologists to explore when dealing with the material remains of the past, as well as in day to day practice.

_______________________________________________________________

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STRINGING THE PAST
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glass bead trade

Jun G. Cayron

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_NOTES

Notes on the Environmental Work Done in Conjunction with the Archaeological Excavations at Dewil Valley 2004-2006

Vito Hernandez

An important aspect of the research work conducted by archaeologists at Dewil Valley, Northern Palawan is centered on the reconstruction of paleoenvironments. Most of the paleoenvironmental work is framed within the praxis of landscape archaeology. Other environmental works conducted in the area aim to answer questions pertaining to paleoeconomies like that of Faylona (2003and 2006), Piper (2006), Barton (2006), and Paz and Carlos (2005). Below is an outline of the paleoenvironmental work in Dewil Valley from 2004 to 2006.

Reports on these works for the archaeology are forthcoming. These include collaborations of Hernandez and Riotita for the sea levels and Hernandez and Takahara for potential of ostracod studies in archaeology, Hernandez for the geomorphology, Stevenson for the palynology, and another report from Bandong.

Also, a research paper was presented using published sea-level data in the region and its relation with the archaeology of Palawan (See Robles 2006). Diatom analyses will also be done at the UP- NIGS Laboratories for the samples taken to the ANU Laboratories. Samples have yet to be returned to the Philippines.

Studies cited:

Bandong, R. 2005. Initial report on the flora of the Palawan We Cave and Vicinity. Report submitted to the UP-Archaeological Studies Program.

Barton, H. 2006. Ancient starch analysis and use-wear studies. In Lewis et al. Early occupation at We Cave, New Ibajay, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines: report on the 2005 excavation season. Report submitted to the British Academy, NERC Orads, and the National Museum of the Philippines.

Faylona, M.G.P.G.2003. Preliminary study on shells from Ille Rockshelter. Hukay 5:31-49.
 

Approach
 

Work done/year

Objective

General Results

Sea levels

Near sea sediment coring/2005 and 2006

Reconstruct paleo sea-leveels at the northeastern portion of Northem Palawan
 

In Kanazawa University Laboratories, Samples still being processed

Palynology

Coring/2006, bulk sediment Sampling and botanical sampling/2004-2006

Reconstruct paleo vegetation in the valley

Stevenson reports that there is no pollen from samples taken from Rice Paddy sampling (See Hernandez 2006); 2006 Sa,ples still being processed at ANU laboratories
 

Botany

Botanical survey, identification, and reference sample development/2005-2006

Assist the palynologist in identifying several flowering plants and represent the present vegetative landscape of the valley
 

Asof 2005 Bandong (2005) reports 236 plant species, 194 genera, and 88 families

Ostracod
Studies

Preliminary open sea, creek, river, and spring sampling; and sampling from archaeological sieved material/2006
 

Develop a reference collection for Philippine ostracods, particularly in Palawan

In kanazawa University Laboratories Samples still being processed

Geomorphology

Augering and coring 2006

Complement the soil micromorphology studies at the Ille archaeological site; reconstruct the paleo-landscape of the valley ; identify paleo-lakes, rivers, and creeks within the valley
 

Awaiting return from Anu Laboratories, Samplaes to be processed and analyzed at UPNIGS Laboratories

Uranium series direct dating of mineralised human bones from Ille site

Victor Paz

In the 2004 excavation season at the Ille rockshelter, in the Dewil valley, El Nido, Palawan, three highly transformed human bones were recovered: fragments of a femur, a parietal bone, and a radius. Except for the parietal fragment, these bones were mineralised, with clear signs of mineral replacement observed on the bone structure (see Paz & Ronquillo 2004:Plates 14-15). The remains were recovered in fill sediments belonging to pits and burials. Because the contexts from which these bones came from were dearly secondary depositions, it was deemed significant to have these bones directly dated. The direct dating of human bones using Uranium series has as a precedent: the work done on human remains from Tabon (Dizon 2003). These transformed bones from Ille were hand carried by Dr. Eusebio Z. Dizon to the dating laboratory of the Museum National D'Histoire Naturetle in Paris. Dr. Christophe Falgueres of the Department of Prehistory at the said museum was
very kind to do the processing and dating of the Ille bones together with several other human remains from Tabon. The results of the dating show an age range for these bones not older than seven and not younger than three thousand years from the present. This date range is much younger than was expected. The condition of the transformed bones gave the impression of dates not younger than 10,000 years. The date range supports what the excavation at Ille

(Cont, on p. 27)

Faylona, M.G.P.G. 2006. Notes on the shells of Ille Cave East Mouth (archaeological excavation 2004-2005). Report submitted to the UP-Archaeological Studies Program.

Hernandez, V.P.C. 2006. Paddy Field test pit. In Lewis et al. Early occupation at Ille Cave, New Ibajay, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines: report on the 2005 excavation season. Report submitted to the British Academy, NERC Orads, and the National Museum of the Philippines.

Lewis, H., V. Paz, J, Kress, M.G. Lara, J.G.L. Medrana, A.J. Carlos, P. Piper, V. Hernandez, H. Barton, E. Robles, T.J. Vitales, A. Ragragio, W. Solheim II and W. Ronquillo. 2006. Early occupation at Ille Cave, New Ibajay, El Nidor Palawan, Philippines: report on the 2005 excavation season. Report submitted to the British Academy, NERC Orads, and the National Museum of the Philippines.

Paz, V. and J. Carlos. 2005. Macrobotanical remains. In Lewis et al. Early occupation at Ille Cave, New Ibajay, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines: report on the 2005 excavation season. Report submitted to the British Academy NERC Orads, and the National Museum of the Philippines.

Piper, P. 2006. Preliminary assessment of vertebrate remains recovered in the 2005 season. In Lewis et al. Early occupation at Ille Cave, New Ibajay, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines: report on the 2005 excavation season. Report submitted to the British Academy, NERC Orads, and the National Museum of the Philippines.

Robles, E.C.R. 2006. Sea levels and Palawan island archaeology. Paper delivered in the 18th Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association Congress. University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. March 24, 2006.
 

Uranium series . . . (cont.)

have already revealed which is the long practice of humans burying their dead at the front of the main cave mouths of the Ille karst. The results also give interesting insights for future excavations in cave environments in the region . It shows that highly transformed human bones, or perhaps the processes of fossilization , may take place at much faster time rates.

The Archaeological Studies Program would like to thank Dr. Chistophe Falgueres and Dr. Francois Seman of the Department of Prehisory of the Museum National D' Histoire Naturelle , Paris for making it possible to get Uranium Series dates from the Ille human remains.

Paz, V. and W. Ronquillo . 2004. Report on the Palawan Island Palaecohistaric Research Project for 2004. Manuscript at the ASP Library , UP. Diliman, Quezon City.

Dizon, E.Z. 2003. 'New Direct dating of the human fossils from Tabon cave , Palawan, Philippines', Proceedings of the Society of Philippine Archaeologists 1:63-67.
 

Exploring the 'Landscape' of a Pottery Sherd: Notes on the Ille Cave Rice Imprints
Jane Carlos

Initial inspection of pottery sherds occurs in the field during excavation, washing and accessioning. Those with obvious organic inclusions or tern per (usually grass or any woody material) are noted. The 'landscape' of each sherd is then examined in the laboratory using a bi-focallow power microscope with 20x to 40x magnification. Both sides of the sherds, as well the cross section, are scrutinized. Published work with rice hull imprints on pottery sherds (Yen 1982, Bayard 1970), as well as collections, served as references. The imprints are then photographed using the low power microscope mounted with an Olympus Camedia at the ASP Lithics Laboratory. At least thirty rice hull imprints were found on fifteen earthenware pottery sherds from Ille Cave. Unfortunately, most of the sherds, collected or excavated in 2004 and 2005, are either from the surface or from the disturbed upper layers. The sherd with accession no. IV-1998-P-18327 (sherd #7, see table 1) is so far the deepest, corning from 40-60 cm BDP in the East Mouth. The rice hull impressions appear as waffle-like or corn-like marks typically made by the rice hull's microtubules. Majority of the materials have one to two imprints. Sherd #1 (IV-1998-P-14025) is unique in having at least ten marks. This particular sherd has angular sand as temper and is from the treasure hunter's pit extension in the East Mouth. Sherd # 6 (IV-1998P- 16438) from context # 80 in the East Mouth has five imprints.

Three sherds show red-slipping but since weathering has occurred, the color orange is observed with the red color evident only in the depressions of the sherd. Two of these red-slipped sherds also have a fading carved paddle design. Sherd #8 (IV-1998-P-14733) is also weathered, black on the outer part and has faint signs of comb

marking (Solheim 2006). In terms of thickness, the pot sherds vary, ranging from 4 to 21 mm. The thick pieces are probably from burial jars.

The situation in Ille Cave is such that a lot of materials in the upper levels are mostly disturbed and not in their proper contexts. The cemetery has contributed much to this disturbance, along with burrowing animals and some root action. There is a chance that the pottery sherds described are from the deeper levels, maybe the Neolithic period, but these could also be from just a few years back, perhaps five years ago. The carved paddle design observed in two pieces is an indication that the sherds can be as early as the late
 

Neolithic or the early Metal period (Solheim 2006). What is needed now is to find and examine more materials coming from more secure contexts.

References:

Bayard, Donn T. 1970. Excavation at Non Nok Tha, Northeastern Thailand, 1968. Asian Perspectives XII: 109-143.

Paz , Victor and Wilfredo Ronquillo. 2004. Report on the Palawan Island Palaeohistoric Project. University of the Philippines.

Solheim, Wilhelm II. 2006. Personal Communication.

Yen, Douglas E. 1982. Ban Chiang Pottery and Rice. Expedition 24 (4): 51-64.
 

sherd #

accession #

mouth

square

context

# of imprints

thickness
(mm)

descrption

1

IV-1998-P-14025

east

fr. scraping of THP's extension

at least 10

8

angular sand as temper

2

IV-1998-P-15988

east

1

11

red-slipped w/carved paddle design

3

IV-1998-P-17796

west

N3W15

(+56 50-60; actually +6-4cm BDP)

1

12

4

IV-1998-P-17797

west

N3W15

(+56 50-60; actually +6-4cm BDP)

1

17

5

IV-1998-P-16437

east

context 80

1

7

6

IV-1998-P-16438

east

context 80

5

11

7

IV-1998-P-18327

east

N2W4

40-60cm

2

10

8

IV-1998-P-14733

east

N3W2

15-40cm from LDP; fill around burial #17

2

21

variable temper: organics, crushed stone

9

IV-1998-P-14114

east

from disturbed layer

1

16

10

IV-1998-P-14118

east

from disturbed layer

1

15

11

IV-1998-P-18461

east

N2W3

20-40 cm BDP

2

13

red-slippedw / carved paddle design

12

IV-1998-P-17129

west

N2W15

1

11

red-slippedw / carved paddle design

13

IV-1998-P-16488

east

fill from burial #79

2

14

14

IV-1998-P-14111

east

treasure hunter's pit

1

4

15

IV-1998-P-20383

surface find

1

5

Notes on the Earthenware Jarlet from the West Mouth
Michelle S. Eusebio

For the first time, a whole earthenware jarlet was excavated in the West Mouth trench of the Ille Rockshelter, El Nido, Palawan on the afternoon of May 1, 2006. Its coordinates were: N-S: 110 cm, E-W: 100 cm, with a depth of 200 cm from -21cm (ldp) in context 1541. Although this context contains other deposits of the Neolithic Age aside from this artifact, this loose, moderately sorted dark grayish brown clayey sand lies between the Palaeolithic soils/deposits to its north and south.

The jarlet was documented with a photo while in situ and recovered carefully together with other artifacts that surrounded it. To its east were a Polymesoda erosa shell, shell fragments, earthenware rim sherd, a human rib (2^nd or 3^rd) and another bone fragment, while to its west were a smaller Polymesoda erosa shell, an earthenware body sherd, a rock fragment and a human skull fragment (temporal area).

During the initial examination of the soil inside the pot, small pebbles, small earthenware sherds, seeds, shell fragments and small animal bones were collected. The soil also underwent wet flotation. Small animal bones, shell fragments, charred shell fragments, a small hematite nodule and a possible fragment of the nacreous layer of a shell were found in the heavy fraction.

The earthenware jarlet (IV-1998-P-35348) has a height of 7 cm and rim diameter of 7.5 cm. Some of its exterior surfaces are blackened. In a personal communication to the author, Dr. Wilhelm Solheim says that jarlets like this were usually used as grave goods. Some of the associated finds like human bone fragments and earthenware sherds support this. It's amazing that this jarlet was not reduced to sherds!
 

Pagsilip sa Isang Natatanging Artefak ng Hie
Taj Vitales

Ang arkeolohikal na pananaliksik sa yungib ng Ille sa Brgy. New Ibajay, El Nido, Palawan sa taong 2006 ay nagbunga ng mga magaganda at mga bagong resulta hinggil sa kasaysayan ng lugar. Nagbukas ng mga bagong hukay sa sayt samantalang ang mga dating hukay ay lalo pang pinalalim para sa mas malawak na pag-unawa sa kronoloji, istratigrapi, at arkeoloji nito sa kabuuan. Kasabay ng paglalim at pagbukas ng mga hukay na ita, mga bago at interesanteng mga labi ang nadiskubre. Isa rito ay isang artefak na may kakaibang hugis na kauna-unahang nakita dito sa Pilipinas. Sa ulat na ito aking ilalarawan ang artefak, ang kanyang pinanggalingan, ang materyal na pinaggawan, at ang maaaring gamit nito.

Natagpuan ang artefak na ito sa isa sa mga siwang na nahukay sa N3W13 ng West Mouth trench sa lalim na 2.8 hanggang 3 metro mula sa datum point. And mga siwang na ito ay mula sa mga mala laking bato sa hukay na pinaniniwalaang dulot ng isang malaking pagbagsak ng mga bato sa nakaraan. Ang pinalilibutang lupa ng artefak ay mabuhaghag at grayish brown ang kulay (tinatakang context 1559). Ang context 1559 ay lokal na feature at matatagpuan lamang ita sa pagitan o siwang ng mga malalaking batong binanggit kanina. Ang iba pang mga natagpuan sa context na ita ay mga piraso ng basag na palayok, piraso ng isang artefak na gawa sa binga (Melo sp.), mga butil na gawa sa shell (shell beads), artefak na yari sa bato, mga biyas ng tao, buto ng hayop, at ilang mga

Nang unang makita ang artefak, inakala itong isang palayok na may kakaibang hugis kung kaya kaagad nila itong itinala, nilitratuhan, at maingat na pinalitaw at kinuha mula sa kinalalagyan nito upang maiwasan ang lalong paghulog nito sa siwang. Ang pagkakakuha ng artefak na ito ay ikinagulat ng grupo dahil sa kanyang pambihirang hugis. Ito ay isang mabigat at makapal na disk na may bilog na butas sa gitna. Ang laki ng butas ay kasya sa bisig ng isang bata o maliit na sanga ng isang puno. Ito ay may dalawang maiikling 'leeg' sa magkabilang bahagi nito. Lumabas

ang maputing kulay ng artefak sa paglilinis nito, na katulad sa mga nahuhukay na kabibe sa sayt. Ang artefak na ita ay agarang binigyan ng accession number (IV-1998-P-31734).

Dinala ito sa UP-ASP, kasama ang iba pang mga artefak na nakuha sa taong ita para sa ibayong pagtatala, pagsusuri, at pag-aalaga. Sinusakat ang bawat bahagi ng artefak sa pamamagitan ng caliper:

Diameter: 13.43 cm
Inner diameter: 6.06 cm
Height: 4.04 cm
Thickness of the disk: 0.53 cm

Sa pisikal na pagsuri nalaman na isang uri ng shell ang materyal na pinanggalingan ng artefak. Ito ang ilan sa mga dahilan ng pagkakabatid nito:

Kinasasangkapan ito ng calcium carbonate

Gamit ang asetik na asido (acetic acid) na ipinatak sa ilang bahagi ng artefak, napag-alaman na binubuo ang materyal ng calcium carbonate. Ang ganitong kasangkapan ay matatagpuan sa mga shell ngunit matatagpuan din ita sa limestone.

Cross-lamellar na istruktura

Sa mala pitang inspeksyon (gamit ang hand lens at microscope), lumitaw ang mga leyer na binubuo ng mga maliliit, pahaba, at magkakahilerang kristal, na nakaayon sa partikular na direksiyong iba sa mga kristal ng katabi nitong leyer. Ang strukturang ita ay tinatawag na cross-lamellar. Ang ganitong uri ng istruktura ay tipikal sa mga shell.

Ang mga maliliit na blltas sa artefak

Mapapansin rin sa artefak ang mga maliliit na butas sa mga gilid na bahagi nito. Ang pagkakaroon ng ganitong mga butas ay maaaring dulot ng mga clionid sponge. Ito ay isang uri ng hayop na tumitira at nabubuhay sa mga patay na shell sa pamamagitan ng pagbutas nito hanggang sa loob. At tulad ng aking binanggit, sa mga shell kadalasan nabubuhay ang mga ito.
 

Ngayo't nabatid na natin ang pinanggalingan nito, ang ating sunod na tanong ay anong uri ng shell ang pinaggawan? Batay sa laki ng artefak, iisa lamang ang tiyak na uri ng shell na pinanggalingan nito at ito ay ang taklobo (Tridacna gigas). Ang taklobo ay isang uri ng kabibe na may makakapal at matitigas na shell at kayang lumaki hanggang mga dalawang metro (pansinin ang sukat ng Tridacna gigas sa Abbot at Dance 1982). Ang malaking kabibeng ita ay pwedeng panggalingan ng ilang mga kagamitan tulad ng malaking asarol (adze) na natagpuan sa isang libingan sa yungib ng Duyong sa Quezon, Palawan (Fox 1970) at ang mga makakapal na pulseras o galang na ginagawa ng mga Mandaya (Peralta 1977). Kung atin muling titingnan ang artefak, mapa pans in ang paalon-alon na linya sa isang gilid nito. Ito ay mula sa palon-along anyo ng shell ng taklobo. Maaari pa ngang ang materyales na pinagyarian ng artefak ay mula sa isang taklobong matagal nang namatay dahil sa mga ebidensiya ng pagbutas na ginawa ng mga clionid sponge. Hindi ito imposible dahil ang kalimitang pinipili na taklobo ng mga sinaunang tao para sa paggawa ng mga kagamitan o alahas ay yung mga matagal nang patay o mga sub-fossil. Ang ganitong kaugalian ay naoobserbahan sa mga artefak na gawa sa taklobo hindi lamang sa Pilipinas kundi pati na rin sa ibang lugar sa Pasipiko (Szabo 2004)

Ang ganitong uri ng artefak ay kinilala ni Dr. Wilhelm Solheim bilang isang T-sectioned na pulseras o bangle dahil sa hugis T ang cross section nito. Kaunaunahang mang natagpuan ang artefak na ito sa Pilipinas, hindi ita natatangi. May mga katulad din itong nahanap sa ibang bahagi ng Timog Silangang Asya. Ang pinakamalapit na hawig ng ating artefak ay ang mga pulseras na natagpuan sa Gua Cha, Malaysia (Sieve king 1954; Sieveking 1955; Tweedie 1955). Dalawang Tsectioned na pulseras ang natagpuan sa sayt na ito kung saan nakasuot pa mismo ito sa kanang braso ng mga nilibing. Ngunit ang mga artefak na ita ay parehong gawa sa bato; ang isa ay gawa sa nephrite samantalang ang isa ay gawa sa marmol. Maraming mga artefak na halos kahawig ng sa atin ang natagpuan din sa mga libingan sa Khok Phanom Di at Ban Lum Khao sa Thailand. Tulad ng sa Malaysia, karamihan sa mga ito ay natagpuang nakasuot pa sa braso ng mga nilibing (Higham 2002; Higham at Bannanurag 1990; Higham et al. 1992; Cameron et al. 2004 ).Ang mga natagpuan dito ay gawa rin sa taklobo o bato.

Ang artefak na ito ay kauna-unahang natagpuan sa Pilipinas, at dahil dito kailangan pa ng ibayong pananaliksik. Maraming makukuhang impormasyon mula sa artefak na ito tulad ng pangangalakal, interaksyon ng Pilipinas sa karatig bansa nito, mga ritwal sa paglilibing, at iba pa. Ang pagkakadiskubre nito ay higit na makatutulong sa ating sa pagunawa sa arkeoloji hindi lang ng Ille kundi ng buong Pilipinas.

Batis:

Abbot, R. T. at S. P. Dance. 1982. Compendium of Seashells. California: Odyssey Publishing.

Cameron, J., N. Chang, K. M. Domett, C. F. W. Higham, T. F. G. Higham, D. W. Mather, R. Rabett, D. J. W. O'Reilly, R. Thosarat. 2004. The Excavation of Ban Lum Khao. Sa The Origins of the Civilization of Angkor Vol. 1. Isinaayos nina C. F. W. Higham and R. Thosarat. Bangkok: The Thai Arts Department.

Fox, R. B. 1970. The Tabon Caves. Manila: National Museum.

Higham, C. 2002. Early Cultures of Mainland Southeast Asia. Bangkok: River Books.

Higham, C. F.W. at R. Bannanurag. 1990. The Excavation, Chronology and Human Burials. Sa The Excavation of Khok Phanom Di Vol. 1. London: The Society of Antiquaries of London.

Higham, C., R. Bannanurag, G. Mason, N. Tayles. 1992. Human Biology, Environment and Ritual at Khok Phanom Di. World Archaeology 24(1):35-54.

Peralta, J. 1977. Shell Ornaments: Ancient and primitive men fashioned some fabulous bangles. Sa Filipino Heritage: Making of a nation Vol. 2. Isinaayos ni A. R. Roces. Manila: Lahing Pilipino Publishing Inc.

Sieve king G. de G. 1954-5. Excavations at Gua Cha, Kelantan. 1954. Part 1. Federation Museums Journal. 1-2:75-138.

Sieveking G. de G. 1955. Recent Archaeological Discoveries in Malaya (1954). Malayan Branch Royal Asiatic Society. 28(1):197-217.

Szabo, K. A. 2004. Technique and Practice: Shell-Working in the Western Pacific and Island Southeast Asia. PhD Dissertation. Australian National University.

Tweedie, M. W. F. 1955. Prehistoric Malaya. Singapore: Donald Moore.
 

Notes on the Decorative Attributes of Earthenware Sherds from the Cagayan de Oro sites
Aya Ragragio

From October to November 2004, a team from the UP-Archaeological Studies Program and the National Museum of the Philippines conducted archaeological explorations and excavations in Cagayan de Oro City. This research project was supported by the Historical and Cultural Commission of the city of Cagayan de Oro (see Neri et. al. 2005 for the complete site report).

A total of six trenches were opened: four trenches at the Huluga open site (two trenches each at the Dahino property and Gales property), one square at the Echem property, and one square at the Kros rockshelter. Several other areas were also the subject of walking surveys. Given that there was sufficient time to conduct the archaeological investigations, the team aimed for, and was able to achieve, one hundred percent recovery of archaeological materials.

Though the most numerous type of artifact recovered were earthenware sherds, no whole pots or restorable vessels were found. The Cagayan de Oro sites (except Kros rockshelter) are all located at plow areas, with the first twenty centimeters or so of soil having been constantly disturbed by years of farming activities. Unfortunately, almost all the artifacts the team collected (which also included stoneware and porcelain sherds and obsidian flakes) were deposited just at or near the surface, precisely within this disturbed layer. Thus, most of the earthenware sherds were small and weathered. Furthermore, aside from rim sherds, the orientation of most of the body sherds could not be ascertained. We cannot, therefore, come up with a list of vessel forms we can be confident about.

An attribute that we can discuss with confidence are the decorative elements present on some of these sherds. As has been noted before (e.g. Flavel 1997), decoration can become the basis of analysis because of its visibility and its potential role in site interpretation. All excavation areas and one of the surveyed areas ­Hipuna property - yielded sherds of decorated earthenware. This report will describe and provide a preliminary discussion on the decoration of these sherds.

Decorations are found on a total of forty-five sherds and one knob from the Cagayan de Oro sites*. A total of ten decorated sherds were recovered from the Huluga open site (Dahino and Gales properties) (Figure 1). Two sherds are puncta ted, another two bear impressed designs, one appears to have been engraved and painted while the rest have incised designs. Of the incised-decorated sherds, three are very small and weathered and precludes further analysis. Three decorated sherds were recovered from the surface survey of the Hipuna property (Figure 2). One is a rim sherd while two others are body sherds of uncertain orientation. All three are comb-incised with a soft-cornered zigzag pattern. The design on the rim sherd is located at the shoulder, just below where the rim of the pot begins to flare. The Echem property site yielded the most number of sherds (decorated or otherwise) among the sites explored for the 2004 season. A total of 33 decorated sherds were collected from the survey and excavation at Echem property (Figure 4). One sherd has a punctated design and five others have an impressed herringbone design. Twenty-seven sherds were comb- incised, making this the most common form of decoration among the collected sherds. The decorated knob (Figure 3) was also collected from Echem.

Decoration

Punctated

One sherd from Huluga appears to be a combination of open circle motif and punctations (Figure lc) and another has a single punctated point but these sherds are too small for us to say any more. The only sherd of substantial size that bears punctations comes from Echem (Figure 4a). No other elements appear aside from the punctations, and the unaligned arrangement of the points suggests that each point was pierced individually, and not with a multipronged tool.

Rim notching

The Huluga open site yielded the only example of rim notching from this season's excavation (Figure la). The decoration is confined only at the

_______________________________________________________________

^* Decorated sherds from Kros rockshelter will not be included as they have been discussed elsewhere. See Ragragio 2005.
 

rim, which shows only a slight lipping. No other decorations were observed on the sherd. Similar notched rims were found at Parang, Jolo (See Fig. 114 in Spoehr 1973).

Impressed Herringbone

Herringbone decoration was also present; all the sherds with this decoration were found at the Echem property site (Figure 4b). These herringbones were executed not by incising, but by impressing with a simple tool which left small, leaf-shaped impressions. Each leafshaped element was impressed separately. Most of the sherds had weathered surfaces, but red slip or paint was preserved on one of the sherds.

Herringbone impressed is a typical motif of the Sa-Huynh Kalanay Tradition, but appears to be uncommon in the Philippines. A perusal of archaeological publications with descriptions and/ or illustrations of pottery and sherds failed to turn up comparable examples. Only a single unpublished manuscript (Bautista 1992) reports the recovery of similarly decorated pottery from Kros rock shelter, a separate site not far from Echem.

Cord impressed

A single small sherd from the Huluga open site is decorated with what appears to be cord impressions configured into a herringbone pattern (Figre 1d). Unfortunately, the sherd is also too small for us to say anything more about the decoration.

Comb-incising

Based on a count of the decorated sherds, comb-incising appears to have been the most common form of decoration in all the sites explored in the 2004 season (Figure 4). The number of prongs range from two to five, with four prongs being the most common. The comb-incising is done while the clay was still plastic to create soft-cornered zigzag patterns as well as straight parallel lines. The zigzag patterns were created by continuous strokes of the comb across the surface of the vessel, thus resulting in soft-cornered waves instead of a zigzag with sharp and defined angles. As for the execution of the designs, some decorations appear to have been done with hasty strokes producing uneven wavy patterns (e.g. Figure 4g and p), while others were done deliberately and carefully (e.g. Figure 4k and m).

This form of decoration bears a striking resemblance to the Calatagan Incised decorative style described by Bacus (2003) based on the report of Main and Fox (1982). According to Bacus,  Calatagan Incised is "defined by multiple wavy or zigzag horizontal incised lines often in conjunction with multiple straight horizontal incised lines" (p. 44) and is found all over the central Philippines. This decorative style is present in the sites of Calatagan, Tanjay, Unto, the Calamianes, Cebu, Bohol, and Zamboanga. She also goes on to say that the occurrence of Calatagan Incised is restricted to "protohistoric political centers" (p. 49).

Though Bacus does not include it, the Panay sites surveyed by Coutts (1983) have also yielded earthenware sherds bearing designs which closely resemble those on the
 

Calatagan earthenwares. In particular, material from the Pilar sites (Sites 77-KK to 77-MM) bear straight, zigzag and wavy line motifs in combinations of two to four parallel incised lines. Notably, Coutts mentions that "punctuated comb-marks" (p. 154) occur occasionally in the design configurations, an element that is also featured in some of the Cagayan de Oro sherds (Figure 4q). Coutts also observed that the designs on the Pilar sherds are also comparable to sherds from Guthe's "site of unknown location," which  Solheim (2002) places within theKalanay pottery complex. These sherds from the unknown site also feature straight parallel and wavy lines and one sherd (Plate 20d) has a decoration configuration similar to Figure 4c.

Painted and Incised

A unique sherd was recovered from the Huluga open site (Figure 1e). This sherd has been painted black, and is decorated with at least two thick, incised, horizontal bands, with incised circles in  between. These elements appear to have been incised after the vessel was painted. There are also cracks on the painted surfaces, probably due to weathering. Sherds or pottery with such a decoration have never been encountered in the Philippines (Solheim 2006).

Echem Knob

Another unique artifact recovered for the 2004 season was the earthenware knob collected from the surface of the Echem site (Figure 3). It is decorated with a pinwheel design created by carving the clay while it was still plastic. The ventral side of the knob appears to have broken off cleanly from the lid indicating that the knob was fashioned separately before being appliqued on to the lid. In terms of decoration, the pinwheel design may be seen as similar to the earthenware pinwheel disks from the Maitum site (Dizon and Santiago 1996). These disks, which are painted, also functioned as lid handles for secondary burial jars. But aside from this, the Echem knob more closely resembles cover handles from Fort Pilar as described by Spoehr (1973). Three cover handles were recovered from his excavation at Structure 3, all bearing pinwheel or flower-like designs (See Figs. 84 and 85). Spoehr further notes that these knobs are similar to the cover handle of a contemporary storage  jar produced in the village of Sangali by Samal potters. However, caution must be taken before proceeding with further comparison, because their aesthetic similarity may simply be coincidental, rather than stem from a genuine association with each other.

Discussion and Recommendations

The Cagayan de Oro decorated sherds are both common and distinct when compared to other assemblages in the Philippines. The comb-incised sherds are very similar to Bacus' Calatagan Incised decorative style and Coutt's Pilar sites sherds. On the other hand, the sherds with herringbone impressions, the black painted incised sherd, and the Echem knob are unique and only a few comparable materials immediately come to mind.

This is only a preliminary report about a single attribute - the decoration - of these sherds. There are other attributes that are open for discussion, and other approaches with which to study these artifacts. Microscopic and petrographic analyses can tell us more about the composition and properties of the paste, which, in turn, can help address questions about the sources of day and manufacturing and firing techniques of the Cagayan de Oro sherds.

References:

Bacus, E.A. 2003. "Styles of Alliance?: Decorated Earthenwares in Late Prehistoric and Protohistoric Philippine Polities," in Earthenware in Southeast Asia. Edited by John N. Miksic, pp. 39-51. Singapore: Singapore University Press.

Bautista, A. 1992. Report on the Archaeological Exploration in
 

Cagayan de Oro and Vicinities. Unpublished report. Manila: National Museum.

Dizon, E.Z. and R.A. Santiago. 1996. Faces from Maitum: the archaeological excavation of Ayub Cave. Manila: National Museum.

Coutts, P.J.F. 1983. An Archaeological Perspective of Panay Island, Philippines. Cebu City: San Carlos Publications.

Flavel, A. 1997. Sa-Huynh Kalanay? Analysis of the Prehistoric Decorated Earthenware of South Sulawesi in an Island Southeast Asian Context. Masters Thesis. Centre for Archaeology University of Western Australia.

Main, D. and R.B. Fox. 1982. The Calatagan Earthenwares: A Description of Pottery Complexes Excavated in Batangas Province, Philippines. Manila: National Museum.

Neri, L.A., v.J. Paz, J.e. Cayron, E.C.R. Robles, A.M.M. Ragragio, M.S. Eusebio, v.P.c. Hernandez, A.J.B. Carlos. 2005. 2004 Archaeology at Cagayan de  Oro City. Hukay 7:1-40.

Ragragio, A.M.M. 2005. Kros Rockshelter: A jar burial site in Northern Mindanao. Hukay 7:69-86.

Spoehr, A. 1973. Zamboanga and Sulu: An Archaeological Approach to Ethnic Diversity. Pittsburgh: Department of Anthropology University of Pittsburgh.

Solheim, W. G. II. 2002. The Archaeology of Central Philippines: a study chiefly of the Iron Age and its relationships. Quezon City: Archaeological Studies Program, University of the Philippines.

Solheim, W. G. II. 2006. Personal communication to the author, July 11, 2006.

Obsidian and Its Geochemical Results in the Philippines
Leee M. Neri

Obsidian is a glassy material that has a very high silica (SiO2) content. It is produced by the extremely rapid cooling of molten rock, which prevents the formation of distinct crystals. It also exhibits conchoidal fractures due to its homogeneity and the presence of sharp edges. Obsidian is a perfect raw material for making stone tools and ornamental objects in ancient times. A number of archaeological sites in Asia (Neri 2003; Chi a 2001; Motohashi 1996;Pokee 1990), in the Pacific (Ambrose and Green 1972; Anderson 1998; Bird et al. 1981; Spriggs 1995; Summerhayes 2000), in the Americas (Glascock et al. 1991), and in the Mediterranean (Ammerman and Polglase 1993; Cann et al. 1969; Dixon et al. 1968; Whittaker 1994) have substantial archaeological reports on obsidian materials.

Aside from its usefulness in making stone tools, obsidian serves as a potential indicator in understanding the mobility patterns of early people through the method of "Obsidian Sourcing." This method is used to infer the provenance of the material recovered from an archaeological context. The magma extruded from volcanic eruptions that form the obsidian dome, obsidian lava flows or pyroclastic obsidian deposits from different parts of the world possess authentic chemical "signatures." This unique "signature" is the materials' distinctive chemical compositions (e.g. Rb, Sr, Zr . . . ) that may be used to characterize and match obsidian artifacts to a particular obsidian source. Like humans, these sources have their own unique "thumbmarks" and "identity."

The proviniencing of the obsidian materials can be fully achieved by means of the chemical analysis of the elements present in the sample. Once these chemical elements are identified and traced to their original source, it is possible, then, to determine how far these materials traveled to reach the places where they were finally deposited, and to understand the mobility of early people.

This paper presents the chemical trace elements of the different obsidian materials recovered from archaeological sites in the Philippines. These data presents the different chemical signatures of the obsidian materials recovered from archaeological sites such as the Huluga Open Site in Cagayan de Oro, Ille Rock Shelter in Palawan, and Ulilang Bundok in Calatagan, Batangas, to the identified obsidian sources. The chemical analysis was made possible through Mr. Craig E. Skinner using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) conducted by the Northwest Research Obsidian Studies Laboratory, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.

References

Ambrose, W. R. and R. C. Green. 1972. First Millennium BC Transport of Obsidian from New Britain to the Solomon Islands. Nature 237: 31.

Ammerman, A. J. and C. Exchange of Obsidian in Italy. In Chris Scarre and Frances Healy (Eds.). Trade and Exchange in Prehistoric Europe. Oxbow Books in Association with the Prehistoric Society and the

Obsidian Source

Archacological Sites
 

Total

Uilang Bundor, Luzon
 

Dahinos Property Mindanao

Echems Property Mindanao

Gales Property Mindanao

Huluga Open Site, Mindanao

Ille Rockshelter Palawan

Baranday Caunayan (Luzon)
 

-

-

-

-

-

-

0

Barangay Manaol (Luzon)
 

7

-

-

-

-

-

7

Huluga (Mindanao)*
 

-

4

1

6

25

-

36

Taal Volcano (Luzon)
 

-

-

-

-

-

-

0

Unknown
 

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

Not Obsidian
 

1

-

-

-

-

3

4

Total
 

8

4

1

6

25

4

48

Figure 1. Scatterplot of strontium (Sr) plotted versus zirconium (Zr) for all analyzed obsidian artifacts.

Societe Prehistorique Francaise. pp. 101-107.

Anderson, Atholl. 1998. Implication of Prehistoric Obsidian Transfer in South Polynesia. Bulletin of the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association 20:117-123.

Bird, J. R., W.R. Ambrose, L. H. Russell and M.D. Scott. 1981. The Characterisation of Melanesian Obsidian Sources and Artefacts using the Proton Induced Gamma-Ray Emission (PIGME) Technique. Lucas Heights: Australian Atomic Energy Commission Research Establishment.

Chi a, Stephen. 2001. The Prehistory of Bukit Tengkorak, Sabah, Malaysia. Journal of Southeast Asian Archaeology. p 146.

Cann, J.R., J.E. Dixon and Colin Renfrew. 1969. Obsidian Analysis and the Obsidian Trade. In Don Brothwell, Eric Higgs and Grahame Clark (eds.). Science in Archaeology. Thames and Hudson. Great Britain. pp. 578-591.

Dixon, J.E., J.R. Cann, and Colin Renfrew. 1968. Obsidian and the Origin of Trade of Old World Archaeology: Foundations of Civilization. Reading from the Scientific American. W.H. Freeman and Company. San Francisco.

Glascock, M.D., J.M. Elam and K. Aoyama. 1991. Provenience Analysis of Obsidian Artifacts from the La Entrada Region, Honduras. In Ernst Pernicka and Gunther A, Wagner (ed.), Archaeometry. pp. 395-404.

Motohashi, Emiko. 1996. Jomon Lithic Raw Material Exploitation in the Izu Islands, Tokyo, Japan. Bulletin of the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association 15:131-137.

Neri, Leee M. 2003. Obsidian Sourcing at Huluga Open Site: An Evidence of Exchange? Master's Thesis. University of the Philippines. Diliman, Quezon City. Unpublished.

Pokee, Sohn. 1990. Summary Report on Pleistocene Research in Korea. Indo-Pacific Prehistory. Vol. 1. 14^th IPPA Congress. Yogyakarta. pp. 88-116.
 

_BOOK REVIEW

Navigating the
Role of Maritime
Technology in
Ancient South
Asian Societies
Charlene P. Manese

Himanshu Prabha Ray. 2003. The Archaeology of Seafaring in Ancient South Asia. 335 pages with 45 figures. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Himanshu Prabha Ray, currently an Associate Professor at the Centre for Historical Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, had an ample opportunity to study South Asian seafaring activity starting with her involvement in 1992 with the National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS), upon the invitation of the Institute Director, Dr. Ashok Jain. Since then, she has greatly benefited from the hospitality of various institutions and scholars focusing on maritime studies, including two international conferences held in 1994 in New Delhi and in 1996 in Lyon. These endeavors have produced several publications, including the proceedings of the first conference entitled Tradition and Archaeology: Early Maritime Contacts in the Indian Ocean, jointly edited by Ray and Jean-Francois Salles; the proceedings of the second, entitled Communautes maritimes de l'Ocean Indien, currently in press with Brepols Publishers; and, of course,

The Archaeology of Seafaring in Ancient South Asia. This book was conceived out of her substantial involvement in the study of this subject.

In this book, the author provides useful and relevant information on maritime activities. It is also remarkable that Ray focused on the communities' maritime history rather than on agrarian expansion and the emergence of the state unlike other traditional studies that have previously been conducted. This book views seafaring as a forerunner of social, economic and religious change and the state is considered as just one of the players in the complex interplay of social actors, which includes merchants, boat builders, pilgrims, clergy and craftsmen.

Even before the European expansion, communities of the Indian subcontinent had a strong maritime orientation. In this new archaeological study, Ray explores seafaring activity, religious travel and political economy in this subcontinent. Through archaeological data from the Red Sea to the Indonesian archipelago, she reveals how the early history of peninsular South Asia is interconnected with the larger Indian Ocean region, Southeast Asia to the East, and the Mediterranean to the west.

Moving away from the limited approach taken by many studies of maritime activities in the Indian subcontinent where elitist agendas and trade in luxury goods are accorded primacy, this well- rounded study explores the in-depth relationship between humans and the sea and all its many aspects. In acknowledging and accepting the peculiarities of maritime conditions and activities in the Indian Ocean, Ray explores the role of seafaring and how it engaged with aspects of religion, politics  and economy within South Asian societies. The book addresses a broad range of themes including fishing and sailing communities,
 

cross-cultural interaction, transport, boat building, navigation and seafaring technology, craft production and trade networks, merchants and guilds, religious interaction and expansion, political structures and processes of consolidation.

The story of seafaring in South Asia is indeed striking and interesting, which the author has excellently unfolded. Here, several actors or molders and any influencing factors are discussed showing how they affected the flow of trade including social, religious and political activities.

In the first part, Ray identifies maritime landscapes of South Asia. She discusses how the Indian Ocean countries (particularly India), already at favorable geographic locations, took advantage of this feature to become active participants in maritime activities.

One could therefore expect the seas surrounding the subcontinent to be full of shipwrecks, but strangely, no such remnants have ever been found. This is primarily because the harsh conditions in the area have probably destroyed any remaining shipwrecks. However, in deeper portions of the ocean there probably lie some of those shipwrecks that remain untouched by natural and human disturbance, which can someday shed fresh and relevant data particularly on the study of ancient seafaring.

Ray also mentions the methods that South Asian seafarers used to navigate the ocean. This was not limited only to navigating by the stars, but also by reading other natural phenomena such as the currents, wind direction and the presence of marine fauna such as sea snakes.

Ray also takes into consideration the physical structure of the boats of South Asia. Reed boats, which are prevalent in the Tigris-Euphrates area, are also built here due to the abundance of reeds. Apart from reed boats, other types of boats are also built, such as stitched boats that do not use nails, and plank-built boats. It has been noted that the endurance of these boats make them suitable for long-distance navigation and that they can carry substantial loads.

Boat building is also presented here as a social activity which is passed on through apprenticeship. The skill is a social activity, which bonds individuals and families involved in this craft. Despite its positive social ramifications, it also causes social conflict since it sets apart skilled craftsmen who usually settle in separate communities. Boat building also requires a number of artisans and skilled workers, hence, creating different classes of people. Meanwhile, boat architecture seldom changes. It may take hundreds of years before another design will emerge primarily because of the proven reliability of a certain design, or even because of underlying superstitious beliefs against adapting changes.

Commodities and currencies were also discussed in this book and how these goods can influence the influx of other goods and the political economy of the society. These commodities are not only used in trading but also in religious activities. Apart from these, commodities are also presented here as agents not only of economic but also of political and social change.

It is also noteworthy that the author cited the role of neighboring Arabian countries in maritime activities as external trading partners. Moreover, Roman and Greek influences were also cited, as they were also participants in the maritime affairs of the Indian Ocean.

Indeed, the ancient maritime activities in South Asia did not only present new ideas, new religions and new commodities. It also created a new elite class of merchants who were the beneficiaries of the maritime trade. Not only did these merchants participate in trading activities, but they also manipulated the commodities that had a hold over the common people.

In conclusion, this book sums up the results of research on different facets of the archaeology of the Indian Ocean: maritime landscapes, ethnography, geography, religion and political economy among others. These themes have been discussed within the wider context of movements of communities across the Indian Ocean, of fishing and sailing communities, also of travelers and traders. A range of documentary sources, including those in Greek and Arabic have been analyied. This book has presented a holistic approach towards seafaring and has generated a lot of interest for further analysis of this activity.

References:

Kaplan, Marion. 1974. Twilight of the Arab Dhow in National Geographic Vol. 146 No.3 September 1974.

Salles, Jean-Francois. 1996. Seafaring Communities in the Indian Ocean. Retrieved last March 15, 2005 from http://www.iias.nl/iiasn/iiasn6/esf/seafare.html

Ray, Himanshu Prabha. Archaeology of Seafaring: The Indian Ocean in the Ancient Period. Retrieved last March 15, 2005 from http://www.vedambooks.com/no14711.htm