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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(Ragrario 2010:91).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(Ragrario 2010:91). 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(Ragrario 2010:99). The Archipelago archeological record is also very similar to Bicols and has been used as a reference(Ragrario 2010:99). 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 (Ragrario 2010:99). 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(Ragrario 2010:99). In the 1920s, Carl Guthe took part in the University of Michigan Philippine expedition, which notably went through the Bicol region(Ragrario 2010:76). The project aimed to study Central Philippines, so Bikol’s Masbate Islands were the focus(Ragrario 2010:76). 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(Ragrario 2010:78). At the caves, archaeologists recorded tradware (Ragrario 2010:80). In the lates 1930’s, one of the National Museum’s earliest explorations of Bicol was conducted by a representative (Ragrario 2010:80). 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(Ragrario 2010:87). In the 1960’s the archaeology projects backed by the National Museum strengthened (Ragrario 2010:87). In the 70’s the Sorsogon Archeology Project took place giving archaeologists a window into colonial life (Ragrario 2010:89). More recent archeological explorations in the Bicol region include the June 2019, Bicol Archaeology Project, conducted by the UCLA Anthropology department(Acabado et al. 2019:2). 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(Acabado et al. 2019: 2).” The findings of the study proved a presence prior to Spanisoh colonization (Acabado et al. 2019: 2).

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).