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.

There were actually two masks which were found although only one was complete. The burial wearing the gold mask was found alongside with ceramic dishes and tiny jarlets.

Pedro Chirino SJ in Relacion de las Islas Filipinas (Rome, 1600) said that Bisayans who could afford would cover their dead’s eyes, nose and mouth with gold so that they would be welcomed well in the next world. He also said that the dead with this gold mask would also be buried with lots of ceramic dishes.

Below: The covering for the eyes, 10 cm in length.

Below: The covering for the mouth, 5 cm in length.