Above: A gold earring, one of the artifacts found in the recent archaeological diggings in Boljoon, Cebu. This is the first time in the history of Philippine archaeology that a gold earring was found in a burial.

A presentation regarding the archaeological findings in Boljoon was presented just a while ago at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu by Mr. Jose Eleazar Bersales of the University of San Carlos. The program was divided into two parts the first of which was a lecture/presentation held at the audio-visual hall. The second part was the viewing of the artifacts at the Msgr. Virgilio Yap Memorial Chapel.

The artifacts presented during the afternoon exhibit included some ceramic plates, a gold earring worn by a male, a gold necklace, some iron daggers and spears, etc. All of these artifacts were found along with some skeletal remains at the plaza of the 18th century church of the Nuestra Señora de Patrocino in Boljoon, a southern municipality in Cebu. Religious medals dating back to the Spanish colonial period were also found.

The area where the artifacts and skeletal remains were found was once a settlement of pre-Hispanic Filipinos whose practices included burying the dead beneath their houses. It was from these pre-Hispanic settlements that parishes were established and massive stone churches built during the Spanish colonial era.

The presentation a while ago was attended by invited guests with no less than His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, archbishop of Cebu, gracing the affair. A bigger presentation that will perhaps be open to those interested will be conducted at the University of San Carlos later this month. The artifacts will also be displayed there for a longer period of time until it will be returned to the town of Boljoon for a permanent exhibition.

Below: The presentation of the findings at the audio-visual hall of the Cathedral Museum of Cebu.

Below: Viewing of the artifacts at the Msgr. Virgilio Yap Memorial Chapel after the presentation.

Below: Some of the artifacts.