Cover The National Museum and the University of the Philippines made a groundbreaking archaeological discovery—evidence of basket and ties in Tabon cave dating to 39,000 to 33,000 years ago (Photo: National Museum of the Philippines Facebook page)
The National Museum and the University of the Philippines made a groundbreaking archaeological discovery—evidence of basket and ties in Tabon cave dating to 39,000 to 33,000 years ago (Photo: National Museum of the Philippines Facebook page)
1 / 1
The National Museum and the University of the Philippines made a groundbreaking archaeological discovery—evidence of baskets and ties in Tabon cave dating to 39,000 to 33,000 years ago
“A large part of our material culture is made of organic materials,” says the team of researchers from the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) and the University of the Philippines (UP). Their thesis, ‘The invisible plant technology of Prehistoric Southeast Asia: Indirect evidence for basket and rope making at Tabon Cave, Philippines, 39–33,000 years ago’, expounds on how they were able to unearth pieces of evidence that our ancestors were fond of weaving organic materials to produce experimental tools such as baskets, traps, and even boats, and the significance of this groundbreaking discovery.
NMP researcher Timothy Vitales, who co-authored the paper, explains that the study will help Filipinos reflect on and appreciate the foundations of their basket-making traditions. “These are defining components of our cultural heritage and identity”.
In case you missed it: Threads of Time: Ram Bucoy Tells Us How to Incorporate Indigenous Weaves in Home Decor
Above Co-author and National Museum researcher Timothy James Vitales answers questions in the open forum portion of the briefing. (Photo: National Museum of the Philippines)
Co-author and National Museum researcher Timothy James Vitales answers questions in the open forum portion of the briefing. (Photo: National Museum of the Philippines)
1 / 1
The researchers assert that one important facet of the country’s prehistoric material culture includes the production of textiles and cordages which takes advantage of the flexibility and resistance of plant fibres. The records of such cultures, however, are almost “non-existent” because it is rather hard to preserve organic materials.
“Fibre technology is extremely important. It allows us to make baskets and traps, but also ropes that can be used to build houses, sailboats, hunt with bows, and make composite objects,” said lead author Dr Hermine Xhauflair.
Related: The Untold Sacred Weaving of Ifugaos
The researchers discovered three stone tools at the Late Pleistocene site of Tabon Cave. The place, which is located on the Southwest of Palawan island, is one of the major sites of Philippine prehistory as it yielded thousands of lithic artefacts, human and animal bones, and hearth features that date back to the end of the Pleistocene to early Holocene. The Pleistocene is a geological period that lasted from c.2.58 million to 11,700 years ago. Holocene, on the other hand, is the time since the end of the last major glacial epoch or ‘ice age’.
According to the study, human presence in Tabon dates back almost 40,000 years, from the oldest fossils of anatomically modern humans in the Philippines to extensive jar burials attributed to Philippine Metal Age.
In the 1960s, the cave was excavated by the NMP, which obtained the first radiocarbon dates for the region.
More from Tatler: Fragments of Time: The Cordillera History Unfolded in 100 Rare Photographs
Above Lead author Dr. Hermine Xhauflair presents the indirect evidence of baskets and ties making during the Pleistocene era in the Philippines.
Above Micro-traces of plant fibre processing on the Tabon Cave Stone Tools.
Lead author Dr. Hermine Xhauflair presents the indirect evidence of baskets and ties making during the Pleistocene era in the Philippines.
1 / 2
“This discovery highlights both the technological skills and botanical knowledge possessed by the inhabitants of Southern Palawan at the end of the Pleistocene. So far, these results constitute among the oldest evidence for fibre technology in the region, together with residue and use-wear analyses from Leang Sarru in Sulawesi,” the researchers say.
“Future analyses of lithic artefacts from Southeast Asia using the experimental reference we provide here can reveal if the antiquity of fibre technology was even greater than 39–33,000 BP in this region, the geographical extent of this craft, and if its contemporary practice is the result of an uninterrupted tradition,” they add.
The new-found tools will be under the care of NMP.
NOW READ
This 3,500-year-old painting was found in Cagayan: why is it important?
Palawan, Crowned as One of the World’s “Most Desirable Islands’
Credits
Images: National Museum of the Philippines, University of the Philippines
Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
