What is Archaeological Sources?
Archaeological sources are physical remains and material evidence uncovered through
excavation and analysis that provide information about past human activities and cultures. These sources
include artifacts, structures, ecofacts, human remains, inscriptions, rock art, stratigraphy, and settlement
patterns. By studying these sources, archaeologists reconstruct and interpret historical events, social
structures, and daily life in ancient and historical societies.
Archaeological Sources of History:
1. Artifacts: Man-made objects or objects that have been modified by humans such as tools,
pottery, jewelry, weapons and art.
Found in excavation sites, including ancient settlements, burial sites, trash pits, and along trade
routes. They can also be discovered in surface surveys and underwater excavations. Pottery
shards might be found in ancient residential areas, tools in workshops or domestic areas, and
jewelry in graves.
Examples: The Kangkong Kura-kura of Batangas, The Banton Cloth of Romblon, The Calatagan
Pot of Batangas
2. Structures: Physical remains of buildings, infrastructures and architectural elements. These
reveal details about the architectural styles and practices, societal organization and cultural
activities of the past.
Discovered during archaeological digs in areas with significant past human activity. This includes
ancient cities, temples, fortifications, and public buildings. Remains of temples or palaces can be
found in ancient urban centers, while fortifications might be located on strategic hills or borders.
Examples: The Fort Santiago, Rizal Monument, The Malacanang Palace
3. Ecofacts: Organic materials or natural remains that have not been modified by human activity
but provide information about past environments and subsistence practices. Including plant
seeds, animal bones, shells, and pollens.
Typically found alongside or within archaeological sites, often in layers of sediment, trash pits,
or near hearths. Animal bones might be found in cooking areas or refuse pits, while plant seeds
can be discovered in storage pits or ancient agricultural fields. They are also found in contexts
where food processing and consumption occurred.
Examples: The Bolinao (Pangasinan) Archaeological Site, Kamhantik Site in Sorsogon
4. Burials and Human Remains: Grave goods and skeletal remains provide evidence of social
status, health, and mortuary practices.
Remains of deceased individuals and their grave goods, including skeletal remains, mummified
bodies, and associated artifacts.
Found in cemeteries, tombs, burial mounds, or grave sites. Human remains can also be
discovered in ritual or ceremonial contexts.
Examples: Tabon and Manunggul Caves
5. Inscriptions : Written records engraved or inscribed on specific materials such as stones, clay
tablets, metal plates and pottery shards. Inscriptions provide direct evidence of language,
administrative systems, historical events, and cultural practices. They help in understanding
governance, commerce, and social dynamics.
Stone inscriptions might be found on temple walls or public monuments, while clay tablets
could be discovered in ancient libraries or archives. They are often found in durable materials
and located in areas of administrative or ceremonial significance.
Example: Copperplate Inscription of Laguna, The Butuan Silver Paleograph
6. Rock Art: Artistic representations, such as petroglyphs (carvings) and pictographs (paintings). It
offers insights into the symbolic and ritualistic aspects of past cultures. It can depict religious
beliefs, mythologies, and social practices.
Found on rock surfaces in open-air sites, caves, or rock shelters. It is often located in remote or
rugged terrains, which were important to past communities. Some might be located in caves or
on cliff faces, often in areas with significant visibility and accessibility to ancient people.
Examples: Angono Petroglyphs, The Callao Cave Paintings, The Sibuyan Island Petroglyphs
7. Stratigraphy: The study of soil layers (strata) and their chronological sequence within an
archaeological site. It is a method used at almost any excavation site to understand the sequence
of human activity.
Observed in archaeological excavation sites where layers of soil and sediment accumulate over
time. Layers of occupation might be found in urban ruins, ancient dwellings, or midden
deposits.
Example: The Tabon Caves Excavations on Palawan Island, Philippines
- The Tabon Caves in Palawan are one of the most significant archaeological sites in the
Philippines. Stratigraphic studies in these caves have revealed layers of habitation that date back to
around 47,000 years ago. The stratigraphy has provided valuable information on the early human
occupation, tool use, and adaptation to environmental changes in the region.
8. Settlement Patterns: The distribution and spatial arrangement of archaeological sites and their
features across a landscape. It reveal patterns of human settlement (how ancient societies
organized their living spaces), trade routes (interacted with their environment), and territorial
organization (how they managed their resources).
Analyzed through surveys and excavations across broader landscapes to identify the
distribution and organization of ancient sites. This includes identifying patterns in rural and
urban areas.
Example: The Banaue Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras
- The Banaue Rice Terraces in northern Luzon are a UNESCO World Heritage site. The
terraces reflect the intricate settlement patterns of the Ifugao people and their adaptation to
mountainous terrain for agriculture.
Lastly, each type of archaeological sources including artifacts, structures, ecofacts, human
remains, inscriptions, rock art, stratigraphy, and settlement patterns contributes to a comprehensive
understanding of past human societies, their developments, and their interactions with their
environments.
