Above: Chinese ceramics — a large dish and a jarlet — dating to between 1567 and 1620. The dish was used to cover the head of the dead during a burial, a practice among pre-Hispanic natives. (Photo courtesy of Jobers Bersales)

Pieces of Chinese ceramics were again found in another pre-Hispanic burial in Boljoon. Archaeologist Jose Eleazar Bersales who led the diggings near the Patrocinio de Maria Church found Zhangzhou and Anxi-type wares among fragmented burials. Continue Reading »

A team from the National Museum will start archaeological excavations in the old Spanish center of Argao, the Pueblo, on December 3, 2008. Whatever important finds that will be uncovered will be presented to the public on December 22. This project is funded by the committee on sites, relics and structures of the Cebu Provincial Tourism and Heritage Council and is also supported by the University of San Carlos, through the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, as well as the University Museum. Continue Reading »

The Cebu Provincial Government through Mr. Jose Eleazar Bersales, the Capitol consultant on heritage affairs, signed a custodial agreement with the parish of Boljoon, represented by Fr. Milton Medida, to ensure the preservation of the artifacts that were uncovered during a series of archaeological diggings that were conducted near the centuries-old church of Boljoon. Continue Reading »

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 »