Philippine Artifacts
Manunggul Jar
[pic]
The Manunggul Jar is evidence of the spirituality of indigenous Filipinos.
The Manunggul jar is cultural treasure found in the early 1960’s in Manunggul Cave, Lipuun Point, Palawan which is classified as a secondary burial jar, which means that only the bones of the corpse are placed inside. It has an elaborate design consisting of scrolls and curves on the top cover and is painted with hematite - a type of mineral that produces red coloring once subjected to heat. However, the most remarkable part of the jar is its lid which features two souls sailing to the afterworld in a death boat.
The figure at the rear is holding a steering paddle, although the blade of the paddle is missing. The one in front is believed to be the soul of the person whose remains are inside the jar, since it has its arms folded across its chest which was the usual position of a corpse being prepared for burial. It also seems like the figures are wearing cloth bands tied over the crowns of their heads, more evidence of indigenous burial practices in the Philippines. The burial jar which is unrivaled in Southeast Asia and considered as the work of a master potter, signifies the belief of early Filipinos in life after death. It is dated to the late Neolithic Period, about 890-710 B.C.
Laguna Copperplate Inscription
[pic]
The Laguna Copperplate Inscription is the oldest written document ever found in the Philippines, and one of very few available artifacts of precolonial times. According to the inscription on the plate, it was written during the Saka era 822 (which translates to April 21, 900 CE). Portions of the inscription are in Malay, Javanese, and Tagalog, as well as Sanskrit, which is not part of the Southeast Asian linguistic group.
The copperplate is now in the posession of the National Museum of the Philippines.
Inscription
The copperplate was a document from a chief of Tundun saying that he has pardoned a
[pic]
The Manunggul Jar is evidence of the spirituality of indigenous Filipinos.
The Manunggul jar is cultural treasure found in the early 1960’s in Manunggul Cave, Lipuun Point, Palawan which is classified as a secondary burial jar, which means that only the bones of the corpse are placed inside. It has an elaborate design consisting of scrolls and curves on the top cover and is painted with hematite - a type of mineral that produces red coloring once subjected to heat. However, the most remarkable part of the jar is its lid which features two souls sailing to the afterworld in a death boat.
The figure at the rear is holding a steering paddle, although the blade of the paddle is missing. The one in front is believed to be the soul of the person whose remains are inside the jar, since it has its arms folded across its chest which was the usual position of a corpse being prepared for burial. It also seems like the figures are wearing cloth bands tied over the crowns of their heads, more evidence of indigenous burial practices in the Philippines. The burial jar which is unrivaled in Southeast Asia and considered as the work of a master potter, signifies the belief of early Filipinos in life after death. It is dated to the late Neolithic Period, about 890-710 B.C.
Laguna Copperplate Inscription
[pic]
The Laguna Copperplate Inscription is the oldest written document ever found in the Philippines, and one of very few available artifacts of precolonial times. According to the inscription on the plate, it was written during the Saka era 822 (which translates to April 21, 900 CE). Portions of the inscription are in Malay, Javanese, and Tagalog, as well as Sanskrit, which is not part of the Southeast Asian linguistic group.
The copperplate is now in the posession of the National Museum of the Philippines.
Inscription
The copperplate was a document from a chief of Tundun saying that he has pardoned a