Until 1950 Henry O. Beyer (1947, 1948) was the only archaeologist active in the Philippines. By this time he had a general theory of Philippine prehistory based on his own excavations and surface collections from all over the Philippines and comparative studies of archaeological sites and relics from neighbouring countries. His chronological framework was classified into five ages: Palaeolithic, Methalithic, Neolithic, Iron and Porcelain Ages. While his works are valuable. as. a general introduction to Philippine prehistory, they can not be regarded as reliable until they are tested by extensive excavation, since Beyer's chronological frame work is based on pure guesswork.
Archaeological research moving beyond Beyer began in 1950 when Wilhelm G. Solheim, Robert B. Fox and Alfred E. Evangelist initiated their Philippine field work. The work of these men produced new data and interpretations somewhat at variance with Beyer's conclusions.
The most intensive and significant work ever done in the Philippines was carried out recently by Fox (1970). For the Tabon Caves on Palawan, Fox has established the first reliable chronology for any area of the Philippines. His chronology is supported by fourteen radiocarbon (C
14) data. He has classified Philippine prehistory into four ages: Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Metal and Proto-Historic Ages. Other important articles are Solheim (1964, 1968), and Fox and Evangelista (1957, a, b); largely concerned with jar burial assemblages, they represent contributions to the analysis and description of Philippine pottery. Other relevant materials (Fox 1959, Locsin 1968) are of basic value for any study of Chinese ceramics. I think that recent archaeological work in the Philippine has revealed the following:
1. Flake-tool Culture should be placed in the late Palaeolithic Age.
2. Beyer's “Jar-Burial Cultures” should go back to the late Neolithic Age. Also, the fist Philippine potteries should be placed in the late Neolithic Age.
3. The Iron Age Culture was transmitted tow or three groups of people.
4. The first Chinese porcelain came to the Philippines around the 12th century
抄録全体を表示