Leee Anthony M. Neri
School of Archaeology, University of the Philippines Diliman
Juvanni A. Caballero
Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology
Angelo Guirgio
School of Archaeology, University of the Philippines Diliman
Jacqueline Roanne Chua
School of Archaeology, University of the Philippines Diliman
Jay Rone Acasio
School of Archaeology, University of the Philippines Diliman
Vol. 17 (2023): 5–39 | Download PDF
Abstract
This archaeological reconnaissance is part of the collective result of the main research objective of investigating the Maranao-Chinese relations before 1898. This research was conceptualized from the prevailing assumption that only the peoples of Maguindanao and Sulu, among the Islamized ethnic communities of the southern Philippines, had direct social interactions with Chinese commercial traders. As such, this archaeological study aimed to test the veracity of the historical assumption. The survey was conducted along the coastal municipalities of Lanao del Norte, which were originally inhabited by the Maranaos. Based on the conventional method of archaeological site identification, recovered tradeware ceramics were used to establish the relative dates of the archaeological sites. Seven (7) sites were identified and classified as: open site (4), historical site (2), and cave site (1). The scarcity of Chinese ceramics thus far did not support the idea of direct contact between the Maranao and Chinese traders but could point to the existence of a possible secondary trading network. This initial survey necessitates further investigation and systematic excavations of the area to gain a clearer perspective on the completion of our narrative conclusion.
Keywords
Chinese-Maranao trade, archaeology, Lanao del Norte, archaeological survey, tradeware ceramics