Tabon Caves
Mga Yungib ng Tabon | |
Alternative name | Tabon Cave Complex |
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Location | Quezon, Palawan, Philippines |
Coordinates | 9°16′48″N 117°58′53″E / 9.279882°N 117.9814°E |
Management | National Museum of the Philippines |
The Tabon Caves is a
The caves are named after the
The complex is managed by the National Museum of the Philippines[4] and was declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the same institution in February 2011.[1][2][5]
Archaeological discoveries
Between 1962 and 1966, the cave system was explored and researched by
The Lipuun Point Reservation, covering a 138 ha (340 acres) island connected to the Palawan mainland by a mangrove forest, was declared a Site Museum Reservation in April 1972 and was made a priority site for tourism development in 1991 for its natural and cultural heritage.
In recent years, verification of facts in addition to further analysis of previously collected samples has allowed for a greater understanding of the site as a whole. Radioisotope dating techniques have been able to show a period of near continuous habitation from 30,000 to 9,000 years ago. Human remains as well as rock flakes, hammers, and other stone tools indicate the cave may have been used as a workshop.[7] The bone fragments found in the caves have been suggested to have been from the late Pleistocene to early Holocene periods.[7] Previous excavations of the site have also revealed evidence of a diet including pig and deer, which are extinct in the Philippines today.
While little new data is available because of the cave's location and safety concerns, they are slowly being excavated and the old data is being reexamined.[citation needed] Approximately 25% of archaeological sites in the caves have been excavated.[3]
Cave use
Earliest cave uses included inhabitation, and the factory like production of stone tools. According to a video by Dr. Fox, a jar burial period began 3000 years ago and lasted until 1500 years ago. This is evidence the area became dominated by people known as the Sa Huỳnh culture.[8]
The Sa Huynh adorned their dead with agate, carnelian, and glass beads from India and Iran.[8] Artifacts of this nature, including glass bracelets, were found in the cave and are displayed at the Palawan Cultural Museum in Puerto Princesa.
A migration of Sa Huyhn people to
.History of the people in the area took on a new significance in modern times owing to the Spratly Islands dispute.
Igang Cave findings
Igang is one of the upper caves and one of the longest of the complex. It appears to have been the primary burial site and most of the burial jars were found here.
Tabon Cave wall findings
Tabon Cave lends its name to the complex as a whole. In this large cave with a big open chamber, researchers found artifacts indicating trade with China during the Song dynasty and the Yuan dynasty.[9] These are now at the Philippine National Museum in Manila.
College of Tabonology
In July 2015,
Security measures
The National Museum of the Philippines carefully guards the cave complex. All visitors are watched to ensure they take nothing but pictures and do not damage the cave walls. Further, all burial jars and remains have been secured.
One issue is that new research and exploration of the complex has largely ceased.[citation needed]
Tabon Caves Museum
The National Museum of the Philippines opened of the Tabon Caves Museum at the Tabon Cave Complex and Lipuun Point in Quezon, Palawan on February 1, 2024. The inauguraton was attended by Governor Victorino Dennis Socrates, 2nd District Palawan Representative Jose Alvarez, Quezon Mayor Joselito Ayala, National Museum of the Philippines Director General Jeremy R. Barns, among others.[11]
Gallery
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Docking station and entrance to the complex
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One of the chambers of the Tabon Cave Complex Site
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Rehabilitation works on Tabon Cave
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View of the site in Lipuun Point, Quezon, Palawan
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Goblet 3000 years old from Leta Leta Cave
References
- ^ a b Mendoza, Victoria Asuncion (August 7, 2012). "Tabon Cave in Palawan declared Nat'l Cultural Treasure". Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
- ^ a b c "Philippine Caves Declared National Cultural Treasure". Caving News. August 8, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
- ^ a b c "Tabon Cave Complex". National Museum. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ a b "Tabon Caves: Site of an important Philippine archaeological discovery". Palawan Council for Sustainable Development. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
- ^ "Tabon Cave in Palawan: A national treasure". August 15, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
- ^ "The Tabon Cave Complex and all of Lipuun". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. May 16, 2006. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
- ^ JSTOR 10.1086/342432.
- ^ a b c "The Cham: Descendants of Ancient Rulers of South China Sea Watch Maritime Dispute From Sidelines". National Geographic. June 18, 2014. Archived from the original on June 20, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
- ^ "The Tabon Cave Complex and all of Lipuun". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ Joy Tabuada (July 16, 2015). "HTU named as research center for ancient Palawan man". Palawan News. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
- ^ "Tabon Cave Museum opens, aims to boost Palawan's tourism". Daily Tribune (Philippines). February 3, 2024.
External links
- Tabon Cave Story Video of caves.
- National Museum of the Philippines Anthropology Section.
- Arts of the Philippines Article on the Manunggul Jar