MANUNGGUL JAR

DESCRIPTION:
It is a Neolithic burial jar from the Philippines, holds a significant place as a national
treasure. This place is famous for its detailed carvings and distinct shape that represent
the spiritual journey to the afterlife. In ancient times, the jar served as a vessel for
secondary burials, allowing the placement of the deceased's bones within.
as a means of paying tribute and keeping their memory alive.

1. Manunggul Jar is a Neolithic secondary burial jar found in the Philippines.

2. It was discovered in 1962 in the Tabon Caves, Palawan.
3. The jar dates back to around 890-710 BC.
4. It is made of clay and features intricate carvings and designs.
5. The jar depicts a boat with two human figures on top.
6. It symbolizes the journey of the deceased to the afterlife.
7. Manunggul Jar is considered a Philippine national treasure.
8. It is housed at the National Museum of Anthropology in Manila.
9. The jar measures approximately 75 centimeters in height and width.
10.Its discovery provides insights into ancient Filipino burial practices and beliefs
EXPLANATIONS:
1. The Manunggul jar is a one-of-a-kind container for burying bodies that was used during
neolithic period here in the Philippines. But It was only used for secondary graves, which
means that after the first burial, the body parts of the dead person were moved and put in
this jar. The jar is a significant historical find that shows how the ancient Filipinos buried
their dead and what they believed about death. The intricate patterns and hidden
meanings on the Manunggul jar show how death and the afterlife were important to
people in the Philippines in the past.
5-6. Its design shows a boat with two people sitting on top of it. It represents the dead's trip
to the next life. The boat shows to be the vessel that takes the soul of the dead to the next
world, and the two figures on top are shows to be guards or companions that go with the soul
on its spiritual journey. The designs on the Manunggul jar are based on old Filipino beliefs and
customs about death, the afterlife, and the spiritual journey of the dead.

Maitum anthropomorphic jars

DESCRIPTION:
The Maitum anthropomorphic funeral jars are made of clay and are used for second burials.
Archaeologists from the National Museum of the Philippines found them in Ayub Cave,
Maitum, Mindanao, Philippines, in 1991. The early people who lived in Mindanao believed that
these jars had a special shape that made them look like people with faces. Filipinos believe
that there is life after death, and the intricate designs on the jars show how important it is to
respect and keep the remains of the dead in Filipino culture.
EXPLANATIONS:
The detailed patterns on the jars not only show off the culture, but they also express that
Filipinos believe there is life after death. Also The Maitum jars are also found with shell
spoons, shell bands, metal tools, and glass beads, which shows a rich cultural background
and maybe the social status of the people who were buried with these things. The humanoid
shapes on the jars are believed to represent specific dead people whose bodies are kept safe
and honored inside the jars, giving these old artifacts even more meaning.
Kulaman Limestone Burial Urn
DESCRIPTION:
The limestone urns that were found in caves and rockshelter sites on the Kulaman
Plateau in South Cotabato, Mindanao, are important pieces of archeological evidence.
During the Metal Age, which happened between 2,500 and 1,000 years ago in
Southeast Asia, these urns were used for funerals. The limestone urns are unique
because they are made from different types of limestone and come in a variety of
sizes, shapes, and designs. They are used as extra burial containers for the dead.
EXPLANATIONS:
The urns are made of limestone and are either round or square. They have geometric
or vertical fluting patterns on the sides. These detailed designs show how well the
urns were made and what they mean to the people who used them. The National
Museum of Anthropology has these limestone burial urns on display in the "Lumad
Mindanao" and "Kaban ng Lahi: Archaeological Treasures" halls. They show how
people in the area used art and artifacts to express themselves in the past.

Fuga Island Burial Jar

DESCRIPTION:
The Fuga Island Burial Jar, was found in an indigenous cemetery on Fuga Island in the
Babuyan Group of Islands. This item is part of a group of more than one hundred
grave jars that hold different ancient artifacts and the bodies of animals and people.
The jars show how the native people who lived on the island buried their dead and
kept their cultural beliefs alive. The beliefs, habits, and way of life of the people who
used to live on Fuga Island can be learned a lot from these jars and what's inside
them.
EXPLANATIONS:
The Fuga Island Burial Jars shows that over the years, researchers have found many
terracotta burial jars and other strange items that were hidden in different places on
the island. This discovery gives us more information about how the people who lived
on Fuga Island buried their dead and their cultural customs. These burial jars not only
show how people used to bury their dead, but they also give us a hint about the
island's rich past and heritage.

Oton Gold Death Mask

DESCRIPTION: The Oton Gold Death Mask is a rare funerary gold mask and face cover
found in the Philippines. It was discovered in San Antonio, Oton, Iloilo in 1967 during
archaeological excavations led by NM anthropologists Alfredo Evangelista and F.
Landa Jocano. The mask dates back to the late 14th to early 15th century and is
decorated with repousse dots and curvilinear motifs for both the eye and nose covers.
The practice of burying the dead with face covers is an ancient burial practice, and
the early Bisayans believed that the gold coverings protected the dead from evil
spirits.
EXPLANATION
Covering the face with a cloth when burying a person is an old tradition. Early
Bisayans believed that the gold coverings on the eyes, nose, and mouth kept evil
souls from taking over the bodies of the dead. They thought that the brightness of the
gold kept bad spirits away. Gold was also a sign of social status, and important people
were buried with as much gold as possible, including gold face covers, small pieces of
gold in between the funeral shroud, gold jewelry, beads, and other valuable items like
ceramics.

Banton Burial Cloth

DESCRIPTION:
The Banton Burial Cloth is an abaca fabric that was found on Banton Island, Romblon,
in 1939 by a farm boy named Restituto Fonte. This cloth was found in a wooden coffin
with human skulls, bones, and blue and white pottery. it is the oldest textile piece still
in existence in the Philippines. It was found in a cave on Banton Island, Romblon,
which is where the name "Banton burial cloth" comes from.
EXPLANATION
It was found in a cave with human remains on it, which suggests it was used as a
burial cloth in a religious setting. The fact that it is linked to blue and white pottery
shows that it is a valuable item. The Banton cloth is the first known warp ikat fabric
from Southeast Asia. It shows the beginning stages of a design that later developed
into the more complicated patterns found in modern ikat fabrics from many places.