Ancient burial ground reveals Filipino cultural wealth: 11-04-2008
An ancient burial cave has been discovered in the Philippines on the island on Mindanao.
The discovery of the clay jars in a cave just south of Manila follows the finding of another ancient burial site in 1991 that contained jars shaped as human forms, GMA News reports.
A statement from the local government indicated that the jars date back nearly 2,000 years.
"I feel happy that we have found another valuable artefact that would help us understand more our history as a people not only in the Philippines, but probably in the whole of Southeast Asia," said the mayor of Maitum, Elsie Perrett.
The government has said the clay pots resemble human figures and faces, and symbolise the cultural wealth of the region. Hispanic, American, Arabian and Chinese cultures have all shaped the Philippines, with many spiritual beliefs coming from Hinduism and Buddhism.