Vol. XXII, No. 196 [ BusinessWorld Online ]
Friday, May 8, 2009 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — A portion of Maitum town in Sarangani province has been declared "an important cultural property" by the National Museum due to archaeological discoveries about two decades ago.
Maharlika A. Cuevas, National Museum director, said they have classified the town’s Pinol Cave as an "important cultural property."
He handed over the National Museum’s declaration to Mayor Elsie R. Perrett early this week at the opening of the "Treasures of Maitum" exhibit as the town celebrated Binuyugan Festival for its 50th founding anniversary.
Important cultural property is defined by the National Museum as having exceptional historical and cultural significance although still below the classification of National Cultural Treasure.
"It is hereby resolved, the panel of experts made it known its support for the declaration of the Pinol Cave formation and the surrounding area, Municipality of Maitum, Sarangani province as an important cultural property by virtue of Presidential Decree 374," the declaration stated. "The archaeological site in Pinol and surrounding area are in need of protection from treasure hunting and illegal excavation and should be preserved for the present and future generation of Filipinos," it added.
Last Tuesday, municipal officials and representatives from the National Museum and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts opened a diorama of the "important cultural property," which showed replicas of the archaeological finds of anthropomorphic secondary burial jars associated with the Metal Age in the Philippines.
Officials from the National Museum have warned illegal dealers against selling artifacts during the event.
In 1991, a National Museum team led by Dr. Eusebio Z. Dizon and Rey Santiago excavated Ayub Cave in Pinol. Mr. Dizon described the findings as "amazing anthropomorphic potteries, which could suggest the backbone of our own culture."
Before Mr. Dizon’s archaeological team found the potteries, treasure hunters had explored Ayub cave, leaving potsherds inside. Authorities suspected some of the ancient potteries were sold, but most of the original artifacts are now preserved at the National Museum.
"Maybe a civilization here was advanced in their time showing unique burial practices of preserving the death of their loved ones," said history Professor Lilian Grapa from Mindanao State University. — Romer S. Sarmiento
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