A TEAM of experts who are currently investigating an archaeological site outside a multipurpose gym in Barangay Poblacion, Daanbantayan in northern Cebu have unearthed complete human remains and other artifacts on Friday, March 3, 2023.
This was the second time that human remains and relics were found outside the Lamberto R. Te Cultural Center.
Construction workers who were digging up ground for the town’s drainage project on Feb. 14 initially discovered the human remains and other artifacts.
Dr. Jose Eleazar Bersales, who is leading the team of archaeologists, confirmed to SunStar Cebu on Saturday, March 4, that they found several human skeletons, unfinished shell bracelets and shards of Longquan celadon at the excavation site.
“One of the burials, whom we suspect to be an adult female, was wearing one shell bracelet on her right arm. But this shell bracelet was broken, most probably due to pressure from above. Both burials were recovered with what looks like a clay bead. Further lab work and radiocarbon dating need to be done to ascertain the time when these individuals were buried,” Bersales added.
Hypothesis
Bersales believes that the site may be a burial site or a pre-colonial settlement.
One of his hypotheses is that the remains were that of early Cebuano natives and the pieces of Longquan celadon were brought in by Muslim traders from Jolo or Borneo.
Longquan celadon is a type of green-glazed Chinese ceramic produced between year 950 and 1550.
But Bersales said they still need the remains and artifacts further studied to determine their background, including when they were buried.
Not the first site
Bersales added that this wasn’t the first site in Daanbantayan where human remains and artifacts were found.
In 2008, Bersales and his team also discovered human remains and artifacts at a public school in Barangay Paypay.
He hopes the local government of Daanbantayan will continue to support their excavation efforts so they can further determine the historical importance of the uncovered relics and human remains.