Archaeology in the spirit of Christmas: The bronze bell from Kalanay Cave

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines Posted in Uncategorized.

As we draw nearer to the peak of the holiday season, join us in unwrapping yet another archaeological treasure as this week’s #TrowelTuesday features a bronze bell from Kalanay Cave, Masbate!

The church bell has always been a popular Christmas symbol. In Christian tradition, the ringing of bells serves as a call to the community and signals the start of the Simbang Gabi (Night Mass) and Misa de Gallo (Midnight Mass). 

Did you know that there are bells recovered from archaeological sites in the Central Philippines?

The Kalanay Cave site is a small burial cave located in Aroroy, Masbate Island. Archaeological investigations were conducted in the 1950s by the late Wilhelm Solheim II, an American anthropologist and archaeologist who pioneered the excavations on Masbate Island. The cave contained large quantities of pottery, stone and iron tools, and some fragmentary skeletal remains.

Potteries in various forms, shapes, and decorations were present in the cave, and most were classified as Kalanay. The majority of the Kalanay potteries are plain, while some of the decorated vessels are incised, impressed, and slipped. Jars vary in size, while bowls have a rounded bottom or a ring foot. Interestingly, a bell was also found inside the Kalanay Cave. The small, thinly encrusted bell is made of bronze and measures 27 mm in length and 12.5 mm in diameter. It has a loop top (with a 2-mm opening) and a free-swinging clapper inside, attached to a bar from the bottom of the bell.

Only little can be inferred about the life of the people who used the Kalanay Cave. Four individuals were likely interred in the cave, and one was below 18 years of age. Associated finds, other than pottery, are shell artifacts, nephrite adze, tektite, jade beads, and a number of metal artifacts including the bronze bell. There was no indication that the cave was inhabited; thus, it is classified as a burial site.

See some of the distinct Kalanay earthenware pottery by visiting the “Palayok: The Ceramic Heritage of the Philippines” exhibition at the National Museum of Anthropology. We are open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9 AM to 6 PM. Admission is FREE!

#NationalMuseumPH #BronzeBell #KalanayCaveSite #UnwrappingThePast #Aroroy #Masbate

Shell Bracelets

Posted on:  |  rochelle-van reyes Posted in Uncategorized.

Shell Bracelets in Prehistoric Philipines

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The holiday season is just around the corner! It’s that time of the year when we put on our best clothes for merry-making. Other than offering body protection from the environment, clothing is one of several means for people to express themselves. Body adornments, such as jewelry, are usually worn as an extension of clothing and enhance an individual’s look. Today’s #TrowelTuesday features shell ornaments—bracelets in particular—from the National Archaeological Collection!

Did you know that the oldest articles of jewelry were fashioned out of shells? Among these were beads made from the shells of dog whelks (Tritia gibbosula), a type of marine snail. The shell beads, dating to at least 142,000 years ago, were excavated at the Bizmoune Cave in Morocco. Archaeologists believed that these perforated shells, which could have been worn strung together, conveyed the wearer’s individual or group identity. 

In the Philippines, shell ornaments such as beads, bracelets, and pendants were recovered from several archaeological sites, with the earliest dating to 4,700 years ago in Duyong Cave. Specifically, shell bracelets possibly emerged in the archipelago around 3,500 years ago, as evidenced by shell artifacts recovered from Leta Leta Cave in northern Palawan. 

Shell bracelets are made from different types of shells such as cone snails, limpets, top snails, and giant clams, each exhibiting varieties of form and design across time and space. Their technology and usage seem to have persisted until the arrival of the Spanish. In fact, until the 20th century, anthropologists still documented a few indigenous communities manufacturing shell bracelets. An example of such a bracelet is displayed at the Lumad Mindanao Gallery of the National Museum of Anthropology.

Visit these artifacts at the National Museum of Anthropology! Open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9AM to 6PM. Admission is FREE!

#NationalMuseumPH #ShellBracelets

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“SELECTIONS FROM THE CCP 21ST CENTURY ART MUSEUM” FORMALLY LAUNCHED

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines Posted in News and Events.

Last 21 November, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) formally opened the “Selections from the CCP 21st Century Art Museum (21AM) Collection” special exhibition at Galleries XXVII & XXVIII of the National Museum of Fine Arts.

Featuring artworks from the visual arts collection of the CCP, this exhibition is divided into two sections; the first of which, titled “The Possibilities of Luminance,” anchors on the concept of brightness or luminance as an artistic expression. Meanwhile, the second section, named “Man and Nature,” contemplates the visual expressions surrounding life and nature, explored through the works of select National Artists.

“This is a collaborative effort between the NMP and the CCP, and embodies the shared commitment of two cultural powerhouses dedicated to preserving and promoting our rich artistic heritage,” Director-General Jeremy Barns remarked, recognizing the longstanding relations between both cultural institutions.

CCP President Ad Interim Michelle Nikki Junia thanked NMP for their partnership and expressed her excitement over the launch of this special exhibition. “This is an exhibit that everyone shouldn’t miss, among every other exhibitions on display at the National Museum,” President Junia said.

Ms. Angela Ojeda Luz, on behalf of the estate of NA for Visual Arts Arturo Luz, also gave a brief message, talking about her father’s art and its inclusion in the special exhibition. “Yesterday was my father’s supposed 97th birthday, so this exhibit could not have come at a better time. It’s almost like another celebration of his life, and I am honored whenever my father is recognized for his work and his invaluable contribution to Philippine art,” Ms. Luz stated.

The brief program also saw intermission numbers from the PPO’s Woodwind Quintet, followed by the formal opening, and a curatorial walkthrough of the exhibition.

This special exhibition is now open for viewing at the National Museum of Fine Arts! It is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9 AM to 6 PM. Admission is FREE!

#NationalMuseumPH #21AM #CulturalCenterofthePhilippines #CCP #FineArts #NMFA

“OUR VIP: PROTECTING A PARADISE IN PERIL” SPECIAL EXHIBITION, NOW ON VIEW AT NMNH

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines Posted in News and Events.

On 6 November 2023, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP), in partnership with CEED – Center for Energy, Ecology and Development and Protect the Verde Island Passage, launched the special photo exhibition “Our VIP: Protecting a Paradise in Peril” to raise awareness about the threats faced by the Verde Island Passage (VIP).

The Verde Island Passage, which separates the islands of Luzon and Mindoro, is often described as one of the most biodiverse aquatic biomes in the world, earning it the nickname “the Amazon of the Oceans”. However, its abundant waters, which provide sustenance to over 2 million people, are being threatened by anthropogenic factors such as maritime traffic, pollution, and overfishing, among others.

“We hope that this exhibition not only increases public consciousness on its role in sustaining our country’s food security and in abating climate change, but we also look forward to heighten the call to protect the VIP,” NMP Deputy Director-General Jorell M. Legaspi stated in his opening remarks.

“I hope this exhibition sparks the creation of a new history that protects the Verde Island Passage for the benefit of our children and the next generations,” CEED Executive Director Gerry Arances adds.

Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda extended her message of support through a presentation. “We seek to pass a law… to protect the VIP. A law establishing the VIP as an Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System (ENIPAS) site will give us the tools and resources to do what we must,” Legarda remarked.

In addition, Dr. Miguel Azcuna of the VIP Center for Oceanographic Research and Aquatic Life Sciences – Batangas State University, Ambassador Peter Kell of the New Zealand Embassy in the Philippines, Rod de Jesus representing the Batangas Fisherfolk, Roy Ortega of the Fisheries Resources Management Division of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Alita Sangalang of the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Vice Mayor Marvin Rivera of Pola, Oriental Mindoro also gave brief remarks establishing their support for the protection of the VIP.

The three-month special photo exhibition, featuring stunning photographs of the VIP and its biodiversity, is now available for public viewing at the National Museum of Natural History.

The National Museum of Natural History is OPEN Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9 AM to 6 PM. Admission is FREE!

“ALAMAT: REVISITING PHILIPPINE FOLKLORE” SPECIAL EXHIBITION OPENS AT NMA

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines Posted in News and Events, Uncategorized.

A special exhibition featuring award-winning, multidisciplinary artist Leeroy New and other emerging Filipino artists is now on view at the National Museum of Anthropology (NMA). “Alamat: Revisiting Philippine Folklore” draws from the mystical narratives and iconography of Philippine folklore, offering a harmonious confluence of tradition and modernity. 

Through a collection of paintings and sculptures on loan from J Studio, the exhibition pays a nostalgic tribute to the stories that have contributed to shaping the Filipino psyche. They beckon to embark on a stimulating journey between the ethereal and the quotidian, showing alternative views of the grotesque spaces of our imagination.

At the core of this exhibition, visitors may now explore the intersection of pre-colonial oral histories and futuristic science fiction that Leeroy New conveys with “Balay Balete”, a large-scale installation that appears to engulf the NMA Courtyard. In Gallery 2, he alludes to old tales about the pillars that cradle the earth, creating a fluorescent forest environment composed of reusable resin foam, upcycled plastic, bamboo, and other found materials. Together, these works transform the traditional anthropology gallery space into a thought-provoking, immersive experience. They were commissioned by pop culture magnate, Tim Yap, specifically for this exhibition, launching in conjunction with his annual star-studded Halloween costume ball last 30 October.

Experience “Alamat: Revisiting Philippine Folklore” at The Courtyard and Gallery 2 of the National Museum of Anthropology until 31 December 2023! Open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9 AM to 6 PM. Admission is FREE!

NMP IS NOW ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED; PRIME-HRM LEVEL II ACCREDITED IN RSP AND PM

Posted on:  |  National Museum of the Philippines Posted in News and Events, Uncategorized.

This year’s Museums and Galleries Month has been more meaningful as the National Museum of the Philippines received two recognitions this first week of #MGM2023: the NMP’s first ISO 9001:2015 Certification for its Quality Management System (QMS), covering the processes on the provision and management of museum exhibitions, visitor experience, and support services that are compliant with international standards, and the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) Maturity Level II in Recruitment, Selection and Placement (RSP), and Performance Management (PM) from the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

In a brief awarding ceremony conducted earlier today, October 6, Chairman Mr. Renato Navarrete and the President and Managing Director Mr. Joselito Soler of Certification International Philippines Inc. awarded the ISO Certificate to the NMP which was received by Chairman Andoni M. Aboitiz, Director-General Jeremy R. Barns, and Deputy Director-General for Administration Atty. Rosenne Flores-Avila. The entire NMP QMS Core Team, who made this long-standing goal a reality for the institution, were also present in the ceremony. This milestone certification was made in recognition of the NMP’s commitment to quality public service delivery.

Meanwhile, CSC Director II Claudia Abalos-Tan awarded the Certificate of Recognition to the NMP last October 4 for obtaining the PRIME-HRM Maturity Level II in Recruitment, Selection, and Placement, and Performance Management, recognizing the institution’s continuing efforts to improve its human resource management systems and practices. The certificate was received by DG Barns, DDGA Flores-Avila, Deputy Director-General for Museums Jorell M. Legaspi, and Chief Human Resource Officer Angelo S. Macario, together with the Human Resource Management Division Team. 

This achievement is a significant milestone for the NMP as it demonstrates its commitment to providing excellent service to its employees. The HRMD is steadfast in completing the evidence requirements in Learning & Development and Rewards & Recognition systems in its bid for the PRIME-HRM Bronze Award. 

The NMP warmly received both recognitions, which serve as tangible testaments to our commitment and ability to provide quality and timely services both to its personnel and to the Filipino people.

#NationalMuseumPH #ISOCertified #PRIMEHRM #HumanResources #QualityManagement