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There have been very few studies done on the Bicolano people and its culture prior to Spanish colonization. This is  an attempt to write what has been done on Bicol archeology and this is what we have found.

Bicol Archaeology: Archeology in the Bicol Region has faced many limitations, similar to the research limitations to the rest of the Philippines. Although archeological research has been conducted in the peninsula for over 100 years there is still much that is unknown about the region .Limitations to archeology in the Bicol region include lack of direct dates and lack of regional sequence. The area also tremendously lacks funding and used sparse dating methods, not a professional form of archeological dating by today's standards, which has possibly given researchers inaccurate dates. Another limitation facing the region is the lack of regional chronology, this has led to a compressed history. In order to better understand the history and chronology of the Bicol region, many archeologists have used the Palawan chronology due to the similar histories of the regions. The Archipelago archeological record is also very similar to Bicols and has been used as a reference. The first writings and descriptions of the Bicol region and people originate from Spanish chronicles during early colonization. The writings of the Spanish about the Bicolanos and the area disregard cultural and social details and focus more on its economy and religion of Bicol. The artifacts findings and dating is not culturally due to lack of evidence. The lack of exact evidence and bias writings have molded the cultures beliefs about the regions past and their ancestors history is “insecure” due to lack of accurate and direct evidence. Archeology programs at University of the Philippines, Bicol University and the National Museum could lead to greater archeological research in regions like Bicol. In the 1920s, Carl Guthe took part in the University of Michigan Philippine expedition, which notably went through the Bicol region. The project aimed to study Central Philippines, so Bikol’s Masbate Islands were the focus. The group focused particularly on two burial caves at the Cagraray site in Bicol. At the two sites various skull remains and burial jars were uncovered. At the caves, archaeologists recorded tradware. In the lates 1930’s, one of the National Museum’s earliest explorations of Bicol was conducted by a representative. In the 1950’s systematic archeology was conducted in the Philippines by Robert Fox and Alfredo Evangelista, they looked at artifacts that dated to the fifth century CE, that were found during cave excavations. In the 1960’s the archaeology projects backed by the National Museum strengthened. In the 70’s the Sorsogon Archeology Project took place giving archaeologists a window into colonial life. More recent archeological explorations in the Bicol region include the June 2019, Bicol Archaeology Project, conducted by the UCLA Anthropology department. The study “focused its survey in Bombon, Camarines Sur, particularly in the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish church compound. The decision to conduct limited excavations in the area was a result of prior visits that showed thick surface scatter of artifacts .” The findings of the study proved a presence prior to Spanisoh colonization.

 Significant Bicol Archaeology Sites: 

Caves:


 * Bato Caves: Earliest published excavation in the Bicol region. The caves are located  in the Bacon District, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon by the National Museum in the 1950’s (Fox and Evangelista) (Ragrario 2010:126).
 * Cagraray Caves: The Cagraray caves are located on Cagraray Island, in the Albay Gulf. The site was excavated shortly after the Bato Caves by led by Dr. Carl Guthe (Ragrario 2010:128).
 * Masbate Caves: Located in the circum-Albay Gulf, the Masbate cave sites gave archaeologists insight into the Bicol “mental period.” The presence of the iron tools in the caves date back to the early and late Neolithic period (Ragrario 2010:135). These findings give insight to the occupied area spanning over the last 6,000 years (Ragrario 2010:135).

Open Sites:


 * Sorsogon Archeology Project: Led by archaeologists, such as Dr. William Longacre, parish priest Fr. Manuel Salvador, and government officials, this project took place in Sorsogon,  a province in the Philippines located in the Bicol Region. It is the southernmost province in Luzon. This was an important project as it gave archaeologists a window into colonial life (Ragrario 2010:89). Excavations were conducted from 1978 until 1980. Excavations of the site led to the discovery of earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain sherds  (Ragrario 2010:166)
 * Pilar: The first published archaeological exploration in the region was done in the province of Bataan, Philippines. Led by Generoso Maceda of the Nation Museum, this site was home to a jar burial with skeletal remains kept inside (Ragrario 2010:172)

Underwater and Associated Coastal Sites:


 * Underwater Sites: The first underwater sites excavated in the Philippines took place in Bicol in May 1967 (Dizon 1997). Led by personnel of the National Museum, the goal of these excavations were to investigate an unidentified Spanish galleon. This was the first archaeological investigation to ever require scuba gear. (Ragrario 2010:187) The archaeological investigation took place at Nabagasan Point, Barrio Buhatan, Santo Domingo, Albay (Lopez 1967).

Bicol Languages:

Bicol language and culture was strongly influenced by Spanish and western colonization. Westernization of the region changed the "K" to a "C" (For example, Bikol to Bicol). Went from 3 vowel language to a five vowel language after colonization.

Mobility in Ancient Bicol:

There is proof of water transport in early Bicol. “Solheim’s hypotheses about Southeast Asian mobility that were originally based on finds based on Bikol mobility” Evidence of Bicolano mobility is evident in the spread  of jar burial sites throughout the region (Ragrario 2010:216).The widespread of burial sites supports evidence that Bicolanos were able to travel throughout and beyond the peninsula (Ragrario 2010:215). Prior to Spanish colonization, Bicolanos worked in mines(Ragrario 2010:215). Bicalonos stopped working in mines after spanish colonization due to limitations on movement implemented  by the Spanish. The mines after many years became unworkable due to the restrictions on travel placed by the Spanish.

Bicol Agriculture:

Bicol region was highly susceptible to damage due to  environmental factors. Flood, drought and saline intrusion are some of the largest environmental factors that  the Bicol region suffers from. The varying climate and environmental issues affected farmers and fishers differently.A coping method for farmers from the region was to switch between farming and fishing. As one area was suffering from environmental damages, the people of the Bicol region would look for food elsewhere and therefore adapted new farming or fishing methods.

Ancient Bicol Culture

In order to understand Bicol culture, it is important to learn the three phases the region has gone through. From 3600 BC to 179 CE, the Early Phase is when Bicol people were exclusively using stone tools, were living in sedentary and semi-sedentary communities and had the dead placed in burial jars in caves (Acabado et al. 2019: 2). Then from 179 CE to 1000 CE, the Middle Phase emerged, which was when metallurgy is seen to occur and when the Bicol people started to have burials outside of caves (Acabado et al. 2019: 2). Lastly, during the Late Phase, the amount of shell waste had increased near bodies of water and the types of burials had broadened to incorporate coffin, skull, and supine burials (Acabado et al. 2019: 3).

Through archeological artifacts it is apparent that the Bicol people had complex, systematic communities that were mostly populated along bodies of water such as the coasts, lake and river banks (Ragrario 2010: 211). However, the Bicol people did not only stay in their confide regions, but also practiced trade with other nearby Asian countries. Archeological evidence of trade is seen from the foreign wares excavated from other parts of the peninsula and the presence of trade beads in burial sites (Ragrario 2010: 210). Another aspect of Bicol life that can be observed through archeological artifacts are burial remains. Bicol individuals would either bury their loved ones inside burial jars in caves or without either inland or on coastal areas (Ragrario 2010). The difference of burial technique might signify social hierarchy and/ or a strong emphasis on the idea of an afterlife.

The Bicol people’s skilled creativity in metallurgy, boatbuilding, and pottery making gives important knowledge about their cultural practices. From accidental excavations, it is shown that that the Bicol people were skilled in making gold jewelry. Archaeologist had found very large rings and earrings from Burias Island in Masbate and from Irosin in Sorsogon they found what appeared to be gold teeth inlays which is thought to be used to decorate one’s teeth with flower designs (Ragrario 2010: 137). Bicol people as well created decorations unto intricate pottery and porcelain ware. The many artistic artifacts collected might have point to possible significant ritual practices the Bicol people would perform. The Bicol people were also really skilled in boatbuilding, since the area, especially the Bagatao region on the peninsula had large amounts of materials such as timber and that many individuals during the Spanish conquest were able to help build the ships. One notable ship called the Buen Socorro, was built in Bagatao during 1662,  when the ship was known as “the largest and best galleon” built during that time (Ragrario 2010: 218).

Spanish Colonization of the Bicol Region and The Untold Defiance:

Although history retells the story of a bloodless, undefiant capture of the Bicol region by the Spanish people, there is strong archaeological evidence that demonstrates otherwise. Ferdinand Magellan, a portugese explorer, set out from Span in 1519 with a fleet of 5 ships and a crew of 270 men. Two years later, in 1521, Magellan claimed the Philippines in the name of Spain, however Spanish administration was not formally established until 1565 by Miguel Lopez de Lagazpi (Acabado et al. 2018: 2-3). Since the Philippines were easily overwhelmed by the superior Spanish forces, history lacks in it’s recollection of the resistance against the Spanish forces. However, archaeological, ethnohistoric, and ethnographic research on this specific topic allow for further analysis and truth of the actual sequence of events.

Zooming into the Central Cordillera, where a series of investigations took place. In his Bicol Archaeological Project, Stephen Acabado (a UCLA professor) and his team aim to uncover the “5 W’s” of the untold resistance of the indigenous Phillipine groups and their ultimate defeat to the Spanish pressure. Trigger writes in his 1984 discourse that historical narratives of conquests of powerful groups often discredit the capacity of indigenous groups. Certain aspects of Phillipine agriculture add profound insight to the socio political influence of the Phillipine polities. For example according to Blain and Robertson, the Bicol Region was one of the two regions that developed a functional rice irrigation (Blair and Robertson 1903: 393). This feat demonstrates the competence of the government and their ability to resist Spanish conquest.

Numerous archaeological studies have been conducted to dissect this topic, but only the digs in Ifugao show any substantial evidence. However, it is assumed that Bicol would follow the same patterns found in Ifugao. Artifacts like slave-made pottery and tiny metal fist amulets were interpreted as “muted messages of everyday resistance, which are not readily interpretable as signs of resistance” (Orser and Funari 2001: 39). In addition, Ruppel et al. (2003) determined that the ritual spaces built by Arican slaves suggested resistance from indigenous groups.

Response to colonialism:

Life after Spanish colonialism was very different and,in many ways, tragic for the Phillipine natives. According to a 2009 paper by Newson, the Philippines experienced a 36% population collapse during the initial periods of conquest (Acabado 2019). This was due to infectious disease transmission between local groups.