Anthropological expedition returns from Southwestern Cotabato

Title

Creator

Maceda, Marcelino N.

Language

English

Year

1964

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

THE MEMBERS of an anthropological expedition recently came back aftei- completing the first phase of a scientific project made possible through the inspiration and help of the Hon. Senator Manuel P. Manahan and Fr. Rudolf Rahmann, S.V.D., Dean of the Graduate School and jointly sponsored by the U.S.C., NSDB (National Science Development Board), DFG (German Research Association) and the CNI (Commission on National Integration). For the team members, Mr. Rogelio Lopez (USC), Mr. Alfredo Evangelista (National Museum) and the writer, this was the first respite, if one may call it that, after more than two months’ work in the field. This one month period of rest will give the members of the party time to recuperate, to be with their loved ones, and to write their reports. The expedition this time was lucky. Due to the better climatological conditions, the members of the team did not meet plenty of difficulties from the terrain as they did during their other trip late last year. For instance, the water problem which was a major headache in the previous trips, was solved with the discovery of a spring some twenty minutes walk from the established camp site. Problems related to the security of the team personnel as well as to radio communications were ably taken care of by Sgt. M. Matalines and Pfc F. Guile, both of the 102 P.C. Company. Not only did they perform their duties well, but they also helped in the excavation activities, thus augmenting the labor force engaged in the work. By air, Menteng, the excavation site, may not be more than thirty to forty kilometers away from the coastal town of Kalamansig. However, due to the rough terrain, it takes about a week or so to reach the cave site. In this place, two caves, namely Kan-fenefe and Kan-nitong were marked for systematic studies. The excavation was started in the second cave because it is the larger of the two, and as such it is believed that it should yield more significant data. The team spent about a month of careful work in cave Kan-nitong. Hired Manobo laborers hauled the specimens to the camp site. Unfortunately, in the process of handling, several beautiful burial jars were broken. During their stay in Menteng for more than a month, the camp was frequently visited by other Anthropological Expedition Returns from Southwestern Cotabato By DR. MARCELINO N. MACEDA people. Most of their guests were Manobos passing through; some of them came from the neighboring settlements — the nearest of this being about three to four kilometers away. During the Holy Week, Capt. Gabriel Resurrection of Bo. Kulaman and Capt. M. Patron (C.O. of the 102 P.C. Company) in the company of several soldiers and friends of the team leader visited the camp. It should be remembered that these two persons have helped a lot in the successful execution of the reasearch project. Hence, their visit was most welcome. The results of the excavation are encouraging. Among the specimens now collected are more than 350 stone burial jars and lids, clay burial jars and pots, stone implements, portions of shell and iron ornaments, and stone flakes. It should be noted that the stone burial jars collected as well as the other data connected with them are the first of their kind in Philippine Archaeology! Also among the very interesting finds are the half-moon-shaped, semi-polished scrapers that are suspected to be a new form in archaeology. It is also believed that these tools are probably the same ones used in making the beautiful patterns on the burial jars. The other specimens obtained are the three incomplete human skulls that have already been brought to the university. These specimens have each a hole in a certain spot on the skull cap, a phenomenon that has yet to be studied. The badly preserved human bones removed from the burial jars were also collected in as far as they were anatomically recognizable. And s« were the animal bones and teeth found during the shifting of the dirt from the floor of the cave and from the burial jars. Furthermore, much charcoal has been collected. This will be sent to some laboratories for radio-carbon examination. It is hoped that the charcoal will give a clue to the age of the culture found in the cave. Due to the difficulty of transportation from the excavation site, more than 350 specimens have been stored temporarily in a specially constructed shed in the base camp. There they await to be transferred to our institution for further studies. Although there were high hopes at the start of the expedition for obtaining a helicopter to solve the transportation problem, it was never marterialized. It should be borne in mind that the burial jars and their lids are rather heavy. They range in weight from 30 to 100 lbs., or even more. Hence, only the smaller specimens were brought down by the team. In addition, a collection of some zoological specimens was brought to the university. It is planned that a larger team will return to the side in May. 'God willing, they intend to finish the second phase of the work. Although the task is difficult, whatever small contribution to the collection of scientific data this research project will be able to give would be another evidence of the modest efforts of the Univedsity of San Carlos to participate in the search for the well-springs of the socalled Filipino Culture. THE CAROLINIAN Page 32 SUMMER ISSUE 1964 THE SOUTHERN ENTRANCE of cave Kan-nitong showing the depth of excavation. WORKING INSIDE THE CAVE THE EXCAVATION team with some of their Holy Week THE CAROLINIAN Page 33 SUMMER ISSUE 1964 PHILIPPINE DANAIDS illustrating a perfect example of Mullerian Mimicry. Their larvae feed on poisonous plants. The adult butterflies enjoy immunity from the attacks by predators on account of their acrid and other repulsive tastes. POLYMORPHISM occurs in the female of “Papilio polytes” “ledebouria” whose larva feeds on the orange family. Shown are male (1), “horsfieldi” female form (2), “praxilla” female forms (3), “elyros” female forms (4), and a local race (5), where the spatulate tails have been reduced to mere stumps. Photos by PETE UY THE CAROLINIAN Page 34 SUMMER ISSUE 1964

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