Rare evidence of early literacy found: 23-09-2008
Archaeologists in the Philippines have discovered an inscription on a shard of an ancient pot recovered from the San Ignacio archaeological site in Intramuros.
The shard was found almost one and a half metres below the surface and is one of the few examples of early writing to be found in the country.
The find was reported by the Malaya News and joins the Laguna copper plate, Butuan ivory seal and silver strip and the Calatagen pot on the list of artefacts showing evidence of literacy in the country between 900 AD and the 15th century.
The Tagalog people had their own alphabet, the baybayin, when Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived in the Philippines in 1567, according to the Thaindian News.
With examples of early literacy a rarity, archaeologists will be hoping that the shard is not the last artefact found at the remains of San Ignacio Church.
So far, 500 artefacts have been found on the dig, which only began in June and is being conducted by the National Museum.