Archaeological artifacts unearthed in Aklan caves

Archaeological artifacts have been unearthed by a team from the National Museum inside two caves in Kalibo, Aklan.

“We have recovered human teeth, human bones, decorated earthen wares, and other fragments,” said National Museum researcher Giovanni Bautista.

The team has been conducting diggings since September 12 in two caves on the peak of Tigayon Hill in Aklan’s capital town which is known as a pilgrimage site for Catholics particularly during Holy Week.

“Based on initial observation, Tigayon Hill is a possible burial site during the pre-Hispanic era when the concept of cemetery burials was not practiced,” Bautista noted.

The team that also included Jose Santiago and Antonio Peñalosa found human teeth belonging to both adults and children.

Pieces of decorated earthen ware found could also support claims by local history buffs that Tigayon Hill, which is close to Aklan River, used to be a Chinese settlement site.

More than a decade ago, the Kalibo local government had requested the National Museum to conduct archaeological excavation at Tigayon Hill to boost historical and cultural tourism.

With the latest finding, Bautista is suggesting that more diggings be undertaken in over a dozen caves more in Tigayon Hill.

The National Museum would also like to find physical evidence tracing the history of Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan festival which is dubbed as the country’s mother of all festivals.

The festival basically depicts the Barter of Panay, which tells the story of 10 Bornean datus settling on Panay Island, including what is now known as the province of Aklan, and trading land with the native Atis or Aetas.

To date, there is no hard archaeological evidence that can definitively substantiate the historicity of the so-called Barter of Panay.