Glass Bottles from Archaeological Sites

The month of December marks a lot of gatherings and festivities all over the globe, especially for Filipinos here and abroad. During these occasions, wines, liquor, and other alcohol beverages accompanying the food served are consumed for fun and merriment. These liquids that enliven the spirit of every person in the celebrations are contained in glass bottles.

In the continuing celebration of this holiday season, today’s #TrowelTuesday of the #NationalMuseumPH features intact glass bottles retrieved from archaeological sites in Manila.

In our present time, glass bottles are objects of common use –  as containers or storage for various food items, drinks, and other forms of liquids and substances. But in ancient times, glass bottles were highly sought as only a few of those who are privileged were able to possess them.

The glass bottle is considered an important development in the history of wine and alcoholic drinks. Although glass containers or vessels for wine and beer are probably 1,600 years old, much of their use began only in the late 17th century. As a container or vessel combined with a high-quality stoppers such as a cork, it allowed for the long-term aging and storage of wine and other alcoholic drinks. 

The material evidence of consumption of wine and other liquors in glass bottles here in the Philippines is largely associated to the Spanish and American occupation period in our country from the late 16th to 19th centuries.

The #NationalMuseumPH has a collection of hundreds of intact wine and liquor glass bottles and thousands of glass shards recovered from various archaeological sites all over the country. Many of these glass bottles were manufactured in Europe and the United States of America, and there are also locally-made glass bottles and shards originating from parts of Asia.

This holiday season, many are eager to be be with their families, friends and loved ones despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. Amidst the merriment, let’s continue to #KeepSafe by practicing minimum health protocols as we #BeatCOVID19.

Cheers and #MaligayangPasko po sa ating lahat!

#GlassBottles

#MuseumFromHome

#GetVaccinated

Text by Giovanni Bautista and poster by Timothy James Vitales | NMP Archaeology Division

© National Museum of the Philippines (2021)