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[[Porac, Pampanga]] contains areas in and near Babo Balukbuk in Porac that have strong indication of human habitation, according to investigations published on the University of the Philippines Archaeological Studies Program website. Later test excavations confirmed this conclusion through the presence of materials dated around 12th century to 17th century C.E.<ref name=UPDASPArchaeologicalSitesIntroduction>{{Harvnb|UPD ASP Website|Archaeological Sites|Introduction}}></ref>
[[Porac, Pampanga]] contains areas in and near Babo Balukbuk in Porac that have strong indication of human habitation, according to investigations published on the University of the Philippines Archaeological Studies Program website. Later test excavations confirmed this conclusion through the presence of materials dated around 12th century to 17th century C.E.<ref name=UPDASPArchaeologicalSitesIntroduction>{{Harvnb|UPD ASP Website|Archaeological Sites|Introduction}}></ref>


== Archaeological History ==
== Archaeological History ==
'''The archaeology in Porac, Pampanga''' started with the first excavation conducted in 1935-1936 by G.M. Goodall and two Filipino assistants, then from 1959-1960 by Robert Fox, and followed by an archaeological impact assessment by the people from the National Museum. The three most recent excavations were in the sugar plantation owned by Nestor Dizon in 1999, 2001, and 2002. The excavation site, also called the Dizon-1 site, was officially named after him.<ref name=melendres2014p107>{{Harvnb|Melendres|2014|p=107}}</ref>
'''The archaeology in Porac, Pampanga''' started with the first excavation conducted in 1935-1936 by G.M. Goodall and two Filipino assistants, then from 1959-1960 by Robert Fox, and followed by an archaeological impact assessment by the people from the National Museum. The three most recent excavations were in the sugar plantation owned by Nestor Dizon in 1999, 2001, and 2002. The excavation site, also called the Dizon-1 site, was officially named after him.<ref name=melendres2014p107>{{Harvnb|Melendres|2014|p=107}}</ref>


== Results / Findings ==
== Results / Findings ==
Line 13: Line 13:


=== Stratigraphy ===
=== Stratigraphy ===
The following are the descriptions of stratigraphies without the volcanic eruption correlations according to the article:
The following are the descriptions of [[stratigraphy|stratigraphies]] without the volcanic eruption correlations according to the article:


* “Layer 1 (Context 1):
* “Layer 1 (Context 1):
::Top plow zone, matrix volcanic sand from 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption. Cultural materials in the form of earthenware and tradeware ceramics observed and recorded.
::Top plow zone, matrix volcanic sand from 1991 [[Mt. Pinatubo eruption]]. Cultural materials in the form of earthenware and tradeware ceramics observed and recorded.
* Layer 2 (Context 2):
* Layer 2 (Context 2):
::dark layer with organics, but still volcanic sand. Artefacts fragmented and not oriented.
::dark layer with organics, but still volcanic sand. Artefacts fragmented and not oriented.
Line 38: Line 38:


=== Evidences of Tradeware from Neighboring Asian Countries ===
=== Evidences of Tradeware from Neighboring Asian Countries ===
There are excavated tradeware ceramics identified to be from China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Burma. Chinese green lead glaze ware sherds that are known to have originated from the Tang Period were dated from 13th-14th century, which was significantly younger than the time period of the Tang Dynasty. Melendres points out that Addis believes that these are due to the continuation of the Tang tradition into later times. It was also pointed out that the effects of the Chinese trade ban during the Ming Dynasty can be seen from the few early Ming Dynasty blue-and-white ceramics and the presence of ceramics from Thailand, Vietnam, and Burma. Celadon dishes found were similar to those found in the Twante district in Burma, while other celadon plates were most likely associated with Kalong wares from Thailand (15th-16th Century). Ceramics from Central Vietnam were also recovered and are determined to be manufactured in Binh Dinh during the Viet’s conquest of Vijaya. Furthermore, there were also “Swatow” or Zhangzhou type porcelains recovered that are dated to 16th-17th century. Melendres concluded that the presence of the Zhanzhou porcelains tells us that the Babo Balukbuk site was still being used until the arrival of the Spanish forces.<ref name=melendres2014p113-120>{{Harvnb|Melendres|2014|pp=113–120}}</ref>
There are excavated tradeware ceramics identified to be from China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Burma. Chinese green lead glaze ware sherds that are known to have originated from the [[Tang Period]] were dated from 13th-14th century, which was significantly younger than the time period of the Tang Dynasty. Melendres points out that Addis believes that these are due to the continuation of the Tang tradition into later times. It was also pointed out that the effects of the Chinese trade ban during the Ming Dynasty can be seen from the few early Ming Dynasty blue-and-white ceramics and the presence of ceramics from Thailand, Vietnam, and Burma. Celadon dishes found were similar to those found in the Twante district in Burma, while other celadon plates were most likely associated with Kalong wares from Thailand (15th-16th Century). Ceramics from Central Vietnam were also recovered and are determined to be manufactured in Binh Dinh during the Viet’s conquest of Vijaya. Furthermore, there were also “Swatow” or Zhangzhou type porcelains recovered that are dated to 16th-17th century. Melendres concluded that the presence of the Zhanzhou porcelains tells us that the Babo Balukbuk site was still being used until the arrival of the Spanish forces.<ref name=melendres2014p113-120>{{Harvnb|Melendres|2014|pp=113–120}}</ref>


== Analysis ==
== Analysis ==

Revision as of 20:31, 24 February 2015

Porac, Pampanga contains areas in and near Babo Balukbuk in Porac that have strong indication of human habitation, according to investigations published on the University of the Philippines Archaeological Studies Program website. Later test excavations confirmed this conclusion through the presence of materials dated around 12th century to 17th century C.E.[1]

Archaeological History

The archaeology in Porac, Pampanga started with the first excavation conducted in 1935-1936 by G.M. Goodall and two Filipino assistants, then from 1959-1960 by Robert Fox, and followed by an archaeological impact assessment by the people from the National Museum. The three most recent excavations were in the sugar plantation owned by Nestor Dizon in 1999, 2001, and 2002. The excavation site, also called the Dizon-1 site, was officially named after him.[2]

Results / Findings

The excavation team was able to excavate approximately 24 x 28 meters of land to an average of 90 cm from the surface.[3]

Stratigraphy

The following are the descriptions of stratigraphies without the volcanic eruption correlations according to the article:

  • “Layer 1 (Context 1):
Top plow zone, matrix volcanic sand from 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption. Cultural materials in the form of earthenware and tradeware ceramics observed and recorded.
  • Layer 2 (Context 2):
dark layer with organics, but still volcanic sand. Artefacts fragmented and not oriented.
  • Layer 3 (Context 14):
mottled layer with plow markings. Artefacts are fragmented with occasional pot base sitting on the context with their top parts missing (due to layer plowing).
  • Layer 4 (Context 5):
light brownish layer with extensive in situ cultural deposits and features.
  • Layer 5 etc. (Context 38,65, & 212):
laminated natural layers of volcanic material , that extended to more than two meters deep.
  • Context 239:
3.5 meters from the surface, three pieces of earthenware sherds, not weathered.”[3]

Ceramics

Tradeware ceramics recovered from the site were dated as a mixture of 13th to 14th century and 16th century tradewares. Earthenware sherds were ubiquitous and several pot covers were recovered from different stratigraphies. However, no earthenware spindle whorls or net sinkers were recovered.[3]

Metal Implements

At least three types of brass bangles, which were associated with burials, and two types of blades, which some have preserve fragments of sheathing or matting.[3]

Features

Features recovered were postholes, hearths, middens, and plow marks. The postholes varied in their sizes, and 51 were recorded. Hearth remains were of ash and burnt stones and matrix concentrations. Middens were composed mostly of dumped ceramics.[3]

Evidences of Tradeware from Neighboring Asian Countries

There are excavated tradeware ceramics identified to be from China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Burma. Chinese green lead glaze ware sherds that are known to have originated from the Tang Period were dated from 13th-14th century, which was significantly younger than the time period of the Tang Dynasty. Melendres points out that Addis believes that these are due to the continuation of the Tang tradition into later times. It was also pointed out that the effects of the Chinese trade ban during the Ming Dynasty can be seen from the few early Ming Dynasty blue-and-white ceramics and the presence of ceramics from Thailand, Vietnam, and Burma. Celadon dishes found were similar to those found in the Twante district in Burma, while other celadon plates were most likely associated with Kalong wares from Thailand (15th-16th Century). Ceramics from Central Vietnam were also recovered and are determined to be manufactured in Binh Dinh during the Viet’s conquest of Vijaya. Furthermore, there were also “Swatow” or Zhangzhou type porcelains recovered that are dated to 16th-17th century. Melendres concluded that the presence of the Zhanzhou porcelains tells us that the Babo Balukbuk site was still being used until the arrival of the Spanish forces.[4]

Analysis

The recovered artefacts made the team conclude that the Dizon-1 site is a settlement. Their bases were on the several large postholes that may be reconstructed into house plans, the amount of recovered middens and hearths, the general cultural debris scattered, and on the density of the features.[5]

The following sequence of habitation was also developed:

  1. Before 2,300 b.p.: human habitation
  2. Around 2,300 b.p.: Maraunot eruptive period covers the area with more than three meters of deposit
  3. Around 13th Century C.E.: A settlement grew. The people built sturdy structures. They used earthenwares and stoneware pottery and metal bangles and glass beads, had metal implants and exchanged materials for tradeware ceramics. Rice production and consumption and use burial goods were practiced.
  4. Around 16th Century: The settlement decreased and the area was replaced by ploughed fields for planting rice. It is also suggested that there was a coming different group of people about 200 years later.
  5. Around 500 b.p.: Buag eruptive period covers the area with most likely airborne deposits.
  6. Turn of 20th Century: Land was again utilized for agriculture for the cash crop sugarcane.
  7. 1991: latest eruption of Mt. Pinatubo left a thin additional layer of sandy material.

The Excavation Team

The table below contains the names of participants and contributors to the archaeology in Porac, Pampanga:[6]

Students Archaeological Studies Program (ASP) Katipunan Arkeologist ng Pilipinas, Inc. (Kapi) National Museum: Babo Pangulo:
Daryl De Leon Rey Verdolaga Joy Belmonte Armand Mijares Rey Roque
Rhayan Melendres Arcadio Pagulayan Nida Cuevas Jonathan Jacar Jobert Roque
Katherine Kang-Esteves Jun Castro Leee Neri Jaime Mandaue
Jack Medrana Eusebio Dizon Bobby Orilleneda Primo Uguda
Taj Vitales Grace Barretto Val Uguda
Alison Diem Chester Pangilinan
Maj Pua Bernard Malit
Myra Lara Mel Calma
Aaron Tanco Noli Palo
Peach Gonzales Jaime Sumbad
Hanna Zulueta Mayor Exequil Gambao
Joe Mallari Mr. Ruben Dizon Sr.
Jane Carlos Mr. Rube Dizon Jr.
Mimi Santos
Ada Loredo
BJ Patiño

Notes

  1. ^ UPD ASP Website, Archaeological Sites & Introduction>
  2. ^ Melendres 2014, p. 107
  3. ^ a b c d e UPD ASP Website, Archaeological Sites & Results> Cite error: The named reference "UPDASPArchaeologicalSitesResults" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ Melendres 2014, pp. 113–120
  5. ^ UPD ASP Website, Archaeological Sites & Analysis>
  6. ^ UPD ASP Website, Archaeological Sites & The Team>

References

  • http://asp.upd.edu.ph/featuredsite.html, Dizon 1- Site Babo Balukbuk Porac, Pampanga. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |website= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  • Melendres, Rhayan (2014). "Journal for Archaeological Research in Asia and the Pacific". Hukay. 19: 106–134.
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