Maitum Anthropomorphic Pottery

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Sketch of an anthropomorphic jar

In 1991, the National Museum archaeological team discovered anthropomorphic secondary

burial jars in Ayub Cave, Barangay Pinol, Maitum, Sarangani Province, Mindanao, Philippines.
The jars are commonly known today as Maitum jars. They are made of earthenware, and are
characterized by their design that suggests human figures with complete or partial facial features
of the first inhabitants in Mindanao. Furthermore, they give emphasis to the Filipinos’ popular
belief of life after death.

According to Dr. Eusebio Dizon, head of the archaeological team, this type of burial jars are
“remarkably unique and intriguing” because they have not been found elsewhere in Southeast
Asia. Thus, many archaeologists from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Burma
and Indonesia gained interest on this initial find and a number of archaeological - either
government or privately sponsored - excavations have been conducted to recover these artifacts.

These jars have characteristics that belong to the Developed Metal Age Period in the Philippines
[calibrated date of 190 BC to 500 AD]. According to the laboratory results determined through
radiocarbon dating, these secondary burial jars date back to the Metal Age. Two conventional
dates were 1830 +/-60 B.P. [calibrated date of AD 70 to 370] and 1920 +/- 50 B.P. [calibrated
date of 5 BC to 225 AD]. Experts used soot samples taken from the walls of a small earthenware
vessel found inside one of the larger burial jars.[1]
Discovery of the Maitum Jars

The information about “potteries bearing human forms encountered while treasure hunting for
Pacific War treasures” was shared through a phone call, on June 3, 1991, between a consulting
geologist named Michael Spadafora and an archaeologist named Dr. Eusebio Dizon. Three days
after, the archaeologist received photographs of exceptional artifacts collected by local residents.
The artifacts have high probability of significance not only to the history of Maguindanao, but
also to the entire Philippine prehistory. That’s why when they found a fund sponsor for Dr.
Dizon’s trip to Mindanao, he still went despite the unpredictable climate and safety risks.

The Maitum Archaeological Project of the National Museum team formally started on November
6, 1991. Ayub Cave, now referred to as Pinol Cave, is a Miocene limestone formation located
approximately 1,000 meters due south of the Mindanao shoreline with an elevation of 6 meters.
The site is on the coastal area of Pinol, Maitum (formerly a part of South Cotobato Province),
Sarangani. The first phase of the excavation ended on December 1991, the second was from
April 8 to May 3, 1992, and the third and final phase was from January 17 to February 15, 1995.

Unfortunately, the conflict between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) during the 70’s resulted in irreversible casualties in this historical site.
It threatened future discoveries and prevented preservation.[2] No complete Maitum jar in the
form of a female has survived, but there are still evidence of its existence such as the many
pottery shards of female breasts. This is an indication of equality in terms of the practice of jar
burials.[3]

Altogether, a total of 29 burial jars and approximately 33 baskets or about 4 cubic meters of
archaeological material have been collected.[1] Most of them are now in the possession and care
of the National Museum while some are on display at the second level of Maitum Municipal Hall
in an exhibit called as "The Treasures of Maitum". And because of its significance the Pinol
Cave was declared by the National Museum of the Philippines as an “Important Cultural
Property” on May 5, 2009.[4]
Physical Characteristics

Another design of a Maitum jars with a red paint on the face

Even though the burial jars are similar to that of the pottery found in Kulaman Plateau, Southern
Mindanao and many more excavation sites here in the Philippines, what makes the Maitum jars
uniquely different is how the anthropomorphic features depict “specific dead persons whose
remains they guard”.

So far, there have been four classified kinds of cover and lid: (1) Anthropomorphic motif or
head, (2) Trunconical with simple appliquéd design, (3) Simple ovaloid with four ear handles,
and (4) Trunconical with adz shape and round spinning shape motif. While there are three types
of heads: (1) Plain, (2) Perforated, and (3) Painted red and black from hematite and organic
material. The black paint may indicate where the hair of the dead has once been.[1]

Some jars are decorated with glass beads and shell scoops, spoons and pendants. All of these
features represent and reflect the Maitum potters’ creativity and thinking abilities.[3]

Heads

The heads of the anthropomorphic covers portray different facial expressions and emotions,
ranging from happiness and contentment to sadness and grief. Other heads also display full sets
of teeth; others appear to be toothless (way by which the chin and lips recede).

The method of shaping the head is rather similar from the standard potting technique of creating
a round pot with a high or long neck. The presence of paint may be an indication of status, while
the size of the heads is an indication of age.
Eyes

Since the eyes are believed to be expressive, the eyes portrayed in Maitum jars are given high
regard in describing the dead. The eyes are classified to four major shapes: (1) Almond, (2)
Ovaloid, (3) Round, and (4) Rectangular.

There is also a variation between the eyelids of different individuals. Some are incised,
appliquéd, protruding and flat. In addition, some eyes are ringed with black hematite paints.

Ears

The ears either have (1) a hole in the center or (2) an ovaloid shape with an extended curl. In the
former style, the upper outer ear is formed into an ovaloid shaped with a hole in the center while
the lower outer ear is formed by a lobe. On the other hand, the latter style explains the formation
of the upper outer ear into an ovaloid shape with an extended curl going inside and the lower
outer part consisting of the earlobe.

Nose

The base of the nose are either (1) Triangular, (2) Concave, (3) Beaklike, or (4) Bulbous.

Mouth

The mouth is generally distinguished by how many teeth are showing. Some mouth hold (1) two
rows of incised teeth, (2) one row of incised teeth, (3) two rows of teeth and tongue, (4) row of
teeth with holes on each base, or (5) one row of teeth with a hole in the middle of each tooth. To
several who have no teeth, the feature is only a gaping hole with a tongue.

Arms and Hands

The most common type of arms and hands are appliquéd and molded. These human-like forms
were associated with metal implements like bracelets.

Breasts

These feature were either applied or molded, and may be classified into male or female breasts
with other qualities that may give hints on the age of the dead. To differentiate, male breasts are
usually molded marked by a light curve topped with a nipple. On the other hand, several of the
female breasts have no nipples distinguished by a shallow protrusion, and slightly sloping.

Measurements
The obtained measurements of Maitum jars without its anthropomorphic lid has the height of 43.5 cm,
widest diameter of 36 cm, widest mouth diameter of 30 cm and a thickness of 0.7 cm. The shape was
more of the torso of a male body. From the shoulder to the elbow, the arms measure 12 cm and,
consequently, 17 cm from the elbow to the fingers. Along with its cover, the burial jar is noted to have a
total height of 70 cm.

++++++++

Cultural Heritage

Sketch of an anthropomorphic jar

The town is the location where the Maitum Anthropomorphic Pottery or Maitum Jars were
found.

In 1991, the National Museum archaeological team discovered anthropomorphic secondary

burial jars in Ayub Cave, Barangay Pinol, Maitum, Sarangani, Mindanao, Philippines. The jars
are commonly known today as Maitum jars. They are made of earthenware, and are
characterized by their design that suggests human figures with complete or partial facial features
of the first inhabitants in Mindanao. Furthermore, they give emphasis to the Filipinos’ popular
belief of life after death.

According to Dr. Eusebio Dizon, head of the archaeological team, this type of burial jars are
“remarkably unique and intriguing” because they have not been found elsewhere in Southeast
Asia. Thus, many archaeologists from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Burma
and Indonesia gained interest on this initial find and a number of archaeological - either
government or privately sponsored - excavations have been conducted to recover these artifacts.

These jars have characteristics that belong to the Developed Metal Age Period in the Philippines
[calibrated date of 190 BC to 500 AD]. According to the laboratory results determined through
radiocarbon dating, these secondary burial jars date back to the Metal Age. Two conventional
dates were 1830 +/-60 B.P. [calibrated date of AD 70 to 370] and 1920 +/- 50 B.P. [calibrated
date of 5 BC to 225 AD]. Experts used soot samples taken from the walls of a small earthenware
vessel found inside one of the larger burial jars.[10]

Most of the jars are now on display at the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila. The
town has a museum with Maitum jars, however, the jars are only replicas. According to the town
government, they intend for the Maitum jars to be returned to Maitum town from Manila once a
proper museum with high-tech conservation capabilities has been established. Unfortunately,
funding for the museum from the national government is scarce. Museum researchers have
speculated that many Maitum jars have been looted before their initial discovery, as many jars
have been seen in the black market.

The Maitum Jars have been declared as National Treasures of the Philippines and Important
Cultural Properties of the Philippines, meaning, they must never get out from the country and
should be conserved by all means. Found jars should be directly given to the government for
proper conservation for future generations, and must not be sold to collectors. Violating the law
that safeguards the Maitum jars will lead to imprisonment of up to 20 years and payment for
damages up to 250,000 pesos. Unfortunately, despite the high regard of scholars on the Maitum
jars, in an interview of townsfolk in 2012, majority of the residents of Maitum town are unaware
of the cultural value of the jars. The interview noted the need for a public awareness campaign
on the importance of the Maitum jars for the town's heritage, especially to the barangays within
the caves they were found in.

Some locals have said that they have sold jars to foreigners, who pay them a hefty price. Locals
would sometimes throw away jar shards as well. On top of that, the caves where the jars were
initially found have repeatedly been ransacked since there are no physical protections in the site.
There are no site guards or a conservation station located within the vicinity of the cave despite
being discovered around 3 decades ago. Many jar shards exist in the caves and are left
unprotected, despite the caves being declared as a heritage site. Due to these factors, despite
many scholars wanting to campaign the declaration of the town as a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, such declaration would be hard to achieve due to the lack of public awareness in the town
itself, mindfulness for cultural heritage in the town, and physical and a better legal protection for
the caves and its jars.[11]

+++++++++++++++++
Maitum’s unique anthropomorphic burial jars

Replicas of the different heads of burial jars representing specific deceased persons in various
emotional states in the Maitum diorama exhibition at the municipal building

Our Southeast Asian neighbors have nothing of this type of archaeological find. We should be
extremely proud as Filipinos in discovering the amazing anthropomorphic potteries, which could
suggest the backbone of our own culture. Never before have we seen such a magnificent
archaeological assemblage.
Mindanao, the Philippines’s second largest island has a veil of mystery draped around her.
Feared by the uninformed but loved by those who know her true worth and beauty. This series is
my tribute for Mindanao, where I’ve been crisscrossing over the years and where a part of me
also comes from. Thus spoke Eusebio Z. Dizon, PhD, Museum Curator I, Archeology Division,
National Museum during the presentation of a paper at the 14th national Conference on local and
National History in 1993.

Maitum is unique to the Philippines and in the whole of Southeast Asia in that the
anthropomorphic (human form) burial jars are very detailed and meticulous, with each unit
having a specific head in different emotional states. Archaeologists who studied these artifacts
surmise that these might represent specific individuals whose remains are kept inside these jars.
Carbon dating reveal that these are 2,000 years old, during the Philippines metal age.

Miniature recreation of Ayub Cave in the diorama with how the jars were supposedly found
One of the spectacular and largest of anthropomorphic jars complete with hands,

left; decorated urn, right. CLICK TO ENLARGE

First unearthed in 1991 at Ayub (or Pinol) Cave in Barangay Pinol, Maitum, the last town bordering
Sultan Kudarat. It created quite a stir because of the uniqueness of the jars. However, the place was
already disturbed by looters and treasure hunters.

Note that these are secondary burial jars where skeletal remains are transferred to. Depending on
the sex of the deceased person, the form of the jar also follows with female remains placed in
receptacles with breast like forms while males have penis like projections at the base of the jar.

Compared to other burial sites in the Philippines, Maitum has the most highly sophisticated
artistic renderings including other jar forms.
++++++++++

Municipality of Maitum
Nature. Adventure. Culture. History and Heritage. Maitum is Sarangani's cradle of civilization.
Its rich history as well as astounding archeological finds, blended with some of the Philippines'
best beaches, waterfalls, distinct biodiversity, mountain ranges, crystal clear rivers make Maitum
truly a gem of the Celebes.

Maitum is home to the unique 2,000-year old anthropomorphic jars, an archaeological finding
unparalled throughout Southeast Asia. These find were used as burial jars believed to be utilized
during the Metal Age in the Philippines around 5 B.C. to A.D. 225. The original jars are now
housed at the National Musuem although there are replicas which can be viewed at the town hall.

Legend has it that a when a local princess fell in love with a neighboring Tboli warrior, the father
of the princess violently opposed the relationship. The couple subsequently eloped and was not
seen ever since. However, at the time of the couple's disappearance, the rivers stones in the place
turned to black thus the place earned the moniker "Maitum" (black).
Maitum has a lot of caves that waiting to be explored. The waterfalls and pristine rivers offer an
amazing respite from the tolls of urban life. Its thick and dense rainforests are ideal for trekking
and backpacking. Hikers could take a glimpse of Maitum's varied wildlife which includes deers,
wild boars, and tarsiers. After a day's adventure, visitors can cap it off with the White Water
Tubing Adventure. A 1.6 km adventure around the refreshing waters of Pangi River.

The Celebes coastline of the town is a sanctuary of a wide range of turtle species. Tourists can
observe hatchlings of Olive Ridley, Green, Hawksbill and Loggerhead turtles on several turtle
sanctuaries on the villages fronting the Celebes Sea.

Maitum also offer a delicacy that is unique to their place. Women's organization as well as
enterprising individual has been producing "marinated bangsi", flying fish which were half-dried
on the sun and marinated with local spices. Rice coffee as well as other nutritious and healthy
products are also offered by Cresings of Maitum, a thriving family business which endeavors to
help indigents by providing employment as well as showcase the traditional delicacies of
Maitum.

(reference : http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/index.php/features/firstdistrict/maitum)

+++++++

Tucked in the 2nd class municipality of Maitum in Sarangani (formerly a part of South Cotabato)
is a great anthropological discovery that would attest to a Philippine pre-historic civilization.

In 1991, anthropomorphic burial jars (potteries bearing human figures) were found in Ayub Cave
(now known as Pinol Cave) in Maitum.
Dr. Eusebio Dizon, head of the archeological team, said that these type of burial jars are
“remarkably unique and intriguing” since they have not been found anywhere else in Southeast
Asia.

With radiocarbon dating, the burial jars were found to date back to the Metal Age (5 BC to 225
A.D.).

The original jars and pot shards are now at the National Museum in Manila and some are
exhibited at the 2nd level of the Municipal Hall of Maitum.

Every November, Sarangani pays homage to its first people or the faces in the jars at the
MunaTo festival. Do visit the National Museum or the exhibit in Maitum for a piece of history
that we should be proud of.

Aside from this anthropological wonder, Maitum also has the adrenaline-pumping white water
tubing ride.

+++++++++++

References
 Dizon, E. (1996). Faces from Maitum: The archaeological excavation of Ayub Cave. Manila: National
Museum of the Philippines. pp. xi–xii, 51–53, 56–59, 73, 78–82.
  Espejo, E. (November 4, 2008). "Maitum jar: The other casualty of the war in Mindanao".

  Gatbonton, E. (n.d.). Introduction. Fire in the hearth: Overview of prehistoric Philippine pottery with
reference to burial jars. Manila: National Museum of the Philippines. pp. 1, 14.

 Pineda, S. (October 14, 2012). "The treasures of Maitum, Sarangani".