Tigayon Hill, Kalibo Pastrana Park to be declared archaeological reservation sites

Artifacts discovered by National Museum archaeologists in 2014 excavation of Tigayon Hill. The town of Kalibo is declaring the Tigayon Hill as archaeological reservation site for further exploration of its two caves / PHOTO BOY RYAN ZABAL

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Citing the report of National Museum of the Philippines, the town of Kalibo will be enacting municipal ordinances to declare Tigayon Hill and Caves and the Kalibo Pastrana Park as a municipal archaeological reservation sites.

The Committee on Education, Culture, History, Arts and Technology chaired by Sangguniang Bayan member Mark Quimpo recommended for its approval last week.

Tigayon Hill in Barangay Tigayon, a secret sanctuary for the province’s freedom fighters against Spain, is the newest tourist destination of Kalibo.

An archaeological team from the National Museum conducted assessment of the two caves of Tigayon Hill last September 2014.

On Tuesday, Museum researcher/archaeologist Giovanni Bautista during the committee hearing stressed the two caves in Tigayon Hill yielded ancient human and animal bones and teeth, potteries, shells, lithic materials, Carnelian and shell beads and a ritual offering materials were discovered underneath limestone rocks.

“The caves being near the Aklan river supported human habitation and served as burial sites for inhabitants. The close proximity of the Aklan River was likely the source for freshwater drinking and bathing and source of stones/rocks to be made into tools and weapons,” he added.

The glass and Carnelian beads existed between the Metal Age, 400 B.C. – 800 A.D. were discovered in the first cave. 

“The Carnelian beads come in different sizes but those recovered in Tigayon Hill are small beads indicating an excellent manufacturing technique and technology during the pre-historic times of how these beads were made into its finished form,” Bautista stressed.

Bautista said the National Museum has recommended for further archaeological explorations of the two caves to retrieve enough samples for radiocarbon-dating analysis. 

In 2004, National Museum archaeologists Rey Santiago and Noel Escultura were invited to look into the discovery of ancient artifacts in the excavated portion in Kalibo Pastrana Park that led also for the archaeologists to survey the Tigayon Hill. 

Ten years after, the Department of Tourism granted P300,000 for the archaeological work in caves to preserve the artifacts and evidences of cultural history.