Above: The burial with the ceramics. (JERB)

Here are some photos of the pre-hispanic ceramics that were recovered in Plaza Independencia as a result of the monitoring of the excavations of the road tunnel project. Thanks to Mr. Jose Eleazar Bersales, the deputized officer of the National Museum tasked to monitor the diggings and an archaeologist from the University of San Carlos, for posting these photos in Skyscrapercity Forums. Continue Reading »

Above: The set of gold earrings which was excavated recently in Plaza Independencia. (Photo by Jose Eleazar Bersales)

A fragment of another gold death mask was found in Plaza Independencia which brings to three the total number of pre-hispanic death masks found. Also, a set of gold earrings was found on a probable male individual who was buried with plenty of ceramics including a huge, planggana-sized celadon. Continue Reading »

Above: The burial mask made of gold.

Photos courtesy of Mr. Jose Eleazar Bersales

Aside from the earthenwares which were unearthed two days ago at Plaza Independencia, a pre-hispanic death mask made of gold was also found.

According to Mr. Jose Eleazar Bersales, the deputized officer of the National Museum tasked to monitor the ongoing excavations at Plaza Independencia, this is the second time in the history of Philippine archaeology that a gold burial mask was found in a controlled or scientific excavation. The first was in Oton, Iloilo which was recovered in 1973. Continue Reading »

Above: A Thai bluish-green “guan” celadon, a very, very good copy of guans produced in China. The bluish-green and the etched designs give it away as Thai.

Photos courtesy of Mr. Jose Eleazar Bersales.

Several artifacts were unearthed during the monitoring of the excavations of the ongoing road tunnel project at Plaza Independencia yesterday. A team from the National Museum arrived to observe the excavations and retrieve whatever artifacts that could be located. Continue Reading »

Above: The imposing Osmeña mausoleum.

It’s filthy, deserted, and surrounded with shanties. Who would ever think that this was the final resting place of some of Cebu’s prominent families? None I guess but the magnificent mausoleums, the marble statues (Carraras for sure), and the very familiar family names resound a grandeur that would give ordinary visitors a hint that surely this was no ordinary cemetery during its heyday. Continue Reading »