The Geological Foundation and the Beginnings of the Filipino Society and Culture During the Pre-Spanish Period in the Philippines

The beginnings of the Filipino society and culture can be viewed from the geological and paleontological studies conducted by Jocano in his book Philippines Pre- History: An Anthropological overview of the Beginnings of the Filipino Society and Culture provided comprehensive discussion along these areas. He viewed that tracing the emergence of man and the development of his culture in the Philippines is a complex task.It requires an inter-disciplinary approach. That is, data from disciplines other than archaeology are also important in shedding light on the intricate problem of reconstructing pre-historic lifeways. Furthermore, he mentioned that prehistoric cultures were as much products adaptation to specific ecological niches as contemporary cultures are. This eventually led the structuring of the Filipino society and culture until finally made contacts with the Asian neighbors. The natural setting he presented also provided a comprehensive background about the geological foundation of the Philippines.1

The Comparative Geologic Time Scale in the Study of Geological Foundation of the Philippines

  1. Archeozoic Period ( 1,500- 925 million years) – First traces of life form.
  2. Proterozoic Period ( 925-570 million years)-Few simple life forms.
  3. Paleozoic Period ( 570-225 milion years)
  4. Cambrian ( 570-500 million years) - First abundant record of marine life.
  5. Ordovician(500- 440 million years)- First fishes; invertebrates dominant
  6. Silurian ( 440 – 395 million years) –First terrestrial plants and animals.
  7. Devonian ( 395-345 million years) – First amphibians; fish abundant.
  8. Carboniferous ( 345 – 280 million years)
  9. Mississipian ( 345-320 million years) –Sharks and amphibians abundant; large scale trees and ferns.
  10. Pennsylvanian (320-280 million years) – Great coal forests; conifers first reptiles.
  11. Permian ( 280-225 million years) – Extinction of many kinds of marine animals.
  12. Mesozoic Period
  13. Triassic ( 225-190 million years) – First dinossaurs; abundant conifers.
  14. Jurassic( 190-136 million years) – Fist birds, first mammals; dinossaurs abundant.
  15. Cretaceous ( 136-53 million years)
  16. Lower Cretaceous ( 136-110 million years) – First flowering plants; climax of dinosaurs.
  17. Upper Cretaceous ( 110- 85 million years) – First placental mammals
  18. Maestrichian (100- 65 million years ) First Primates
  19. Paleocene ( 65-53 million years) Diversified hoofed mammal
  20. Cenozoic Period
  21. Tertiary ( 53 – 2 million years)
  22. Eocene ( 53 –37 million years) – many modern types of mammals
  23. Oligocene ( 37- 26 million years)- Large running mammals
  24. Miocene ( 26-7 million years) First abundant grazing animals
  25. Pliocene ( 7-2 million years) Large carnivoress
  26. Pleistocene Period ( 500,000-9,000 years)
  27. Lower Pleistocene( 2 million –500,000 years )
  28. Villa Franchian ( Europe/ North America)
  29. Gunz Glacial ( Europe)/ Jerseyan Glacial ( North America)
  30. First Interglacial
  31. Kanjeran Pluvial – for South and East Africa
  32. Middle Pleistocene (500,000-105,000 years)
  33. Mindel Glacial ( Europe) Kansan Glacial( North America) Interpluvial/ Kamasian Interfluvial for South and East Africa)
  34. Second Interglacial
  35. Riss Glacial ( Europe)/ Illinoian- Iowan Glacial ( North America) Interpluvial for South and East Africa
  36. Upper Pleistocene ( 105,000 – 9.000 years)
  37. Third Interglacial
  38. Wurm Glacial for Europe and North America
  39. Gamblian Pluvial for South and East Africa
  40. Holocene ( 9,000 years and below)
  41. Post Glacial for Europe and North America
  42. Postpluvial for South and East Africa

The overview of the geological and paleontological studies presented by Jocano in relation to the geologic time scale as presented in natural science to identify the era and epoch of development specifically on the land formation until finally to the migration and the structuring of Filipino.Geological and paleontological studies suggest that living things appeared on earth as early as 1,500 million years ago, during the era known in geology as Archeozoic period. This was followed by Proterozoic Period, the time when early life forms abounded on earth. The Proteozoic , as is known today, is estimated to have extended from 925 to 505 million years.Other scientists have lumped all of theseeras in geological history into one generalized time-scale as preCambiran.The most important materials on the evolution of man and his culture are found in the Cenozoic era or the age of more advanced forms of animals.2

The Tertiary is the period in the geological history of the earth when mammals, including primates became dominant. The two major events in the tertiary periods.

a)The earth surface underwent tremendous changes known to geologists as land uplift.

b)Land uplift was brought about radical changes in climatic and other ecological conditions favorable to mammalian adaptation

According to Jagor before the Tertiary uplift most of such Asiatic areas as the Iranian plateau, Turkestan, Indian subcontinent, and Tibet were submerged under a sea known geologically as the Tethys sea. When the great uplift occurred as a result of such phenomena as volcanic eruptions and faulting due to crustal deformation, this ancient sea receded and shrank in size, part of which is now known as the Mediterranean. The scope of the movement of land in Asia is well – documented by the Eocene sediments of the tethys sea found about 20,000 feet above sea level in Tibet. One can form a good mental image of the world-wide elevation of the land that resulted form this massive uplift by referring to the present heights of the Alps, the Rockies, Andes, and the Everest mountain ranges. The high mountain ranges were formed during the tertiary.3

BasicLand Formation and Structure in the Philippines

Geologically, it was during the tertiary period that basic land structure of the Phillippines was defined, especially during the Eocene and Oligocene periods. Some scientists suggest that it was at the terminals period of the mesozoic. This suggestion is based on the presence of cherts and slates in many parts of the archipelago which contian unicellular forms belonging to the radiolarian fauna, which appeared probably during the Jurassic, middle Mesozoic Age.4 Basically, the framework of the Philippines was the same as it appears today, with slight modification as readjustment of island forms occurred in various phases of their geologic evolution. The causes of these readjustments are many; the best known are faulting and folding of the earth’s crust, volcanic activities and erosion.5

The probable connection of the Philippines with Taiwan was presented as to the similar basement rock deposits, some fossil-bearing guide markers as various horizons and paleobotanical materials on floral affinities that appeared during the early tertiary period. Specifically, Jocano explained this probable connection of the Philippines in the following:6

1. Sedimentary deposits containing species of Viscarya callosa Jenkins and Lepido cyclina which can be encountered in the Philippines can also be encountered in Formosa. These materials could have not been transported at great distance , which fact attests to the existence of a land connection. This is reinforced by similar species of pine trees found in the highlands of Central Cordillera in Luzon.

  1. Although the Formosan “bridge” was totally lost about the middle of the Tertiary, the southern links of the archipelago with other areas remained. These links were neither continuous nor direct stretches of land ;at most, they were a series of isthmuses, cut through by shallow waters.The western connection, particularly the one which linked Palwana to Borneo become dryland during the Pleistocene which followed the Pliocene period. The eastern connection which linked eastern Mindanao to northern Celebes and New Guinearemained as series of islet.

3. As the connection with other areas changed the internal structure of the archipelago also underwent changes. During the Pliocene, extensive coral reefs and their associated marls and sandstones were laid. Geologists refer to this time scale as the period of subsidence. It was characterized by the flattening of the crustal surface of the existing higher grounds.The greater part of the archipelago was covered by water. The central plains of Luzon, CagayanValley, and the central region of Mindanao, which were lowlands, became completely submerged until the Pleistocene times.

4. Small islands and narrow strips of land masses started to appear in other parts of the country. Land above the sea at this time included that of eastern Davao, Samar, Leyte, and the eastern coast of Luzon ( starting from Bundoc Peninsula), the Sulu archipelago, the portion of Westen Zamboanga, western Panay, Tablas and Masbate. These were all narrow strips of coral reefs,as were the eastern Zambales part of the Lingayen area and the northern ilocos coast.

5. Asia, the exposed shelf known as the Sunda became vast dryland of considerable importance. It covered an area of 1,800,000 square kilometers and extended from the Malay peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, to Palawan. On the Australian side, the continental bank known as Sahul was also exposed. It covered the islands of New Guinea, part of Celebes, and the outlying groups close to TimorIslands.

Waves of Migration in the Philippines

The most widely known version of the peopling of the Philippines during the prehistoric times is the theory of Prof. H. Otley Meyer. The theories of Prof. Beyer about Philippine prehistory on the waves of migration are now under attack by the new breeds of historians and anthropologists. Indeed the migration of ancient Filipinos cannot now be held tenable due to many questions about the manner in which this theory was postulated, and the be archeological evidence which challenge many of Dr. Beyer’s hypotheses . These are presented below on the ancestors of the Filipinos came in different” waves of migration.7

1)The Cave-man ”Dawn Man” Group

This type was similar to the Java Man, Peking Man, and other Asian homo sapiens of 250,000 years ago. Beyer called the first Filipino the “ Dawn Man,” for he appeared at the dawn time. It is claimed that he reached the Philippines through land bridges.

a)Thickly haired and brawny had no knowledge in agriculture.

b)He lived by means of gathering wild plants, by fishing and hunting.

c)Hunting, for that time many Pleistocene animals such as boars, deer, rhinoceros, small and giant elephants.

2) Negritos Group

The aboriginal pygmy group, who came between 25,0000 and 30,000 years ago. Again they walked across the land bridges from the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, and the Australian connection. Hence they looked like the aborigines. After their arrival, the land bridges became submerged under the seas, and the Negritos lived permanently in the archipelago and became its first settlers. They are also known as Aeta, Ati or Ita.The negritos are among the smallest people on earth. They are usually 5 feet tall, with black skin, dark kinky hair, round eyes,a nd flat noses. The Aetas are primitive people with culture belonging to the Old Stone Age. ( Paleolitic)

a)They had no permanent dwelling but wandered in the forests, living by hunting, fishing, and foraging for wild plants.

b)Their homes consisted of temporary sheds made of tree branches and jungle leaves.

c)They wore little clothing.

d)They had no community life and only practiced the crudest religion, with abelief in charms, amulets, fetishes, or even animal and human sacrifices.

e)They were among the world’s best archers and herbalists.

  1. Indonesion Group

These were the maritime Indonesians, who belonged to the Mongoloid race with Caucasian feature, who came about 5,000 -6,00 years ago. They were the first immigrants to reach the Philippines by sea. They were tall, with height ranging from 5’6” to 6’2”.According to Beyer, the Indonesian came in two waves of migration, with type “A” arriving about 3,000 to 4,000 BC and the second about 1,500 to 500 BC.

3.1 Indonesian” A” was tall and slender with light complexion, thin lips and high aquiline nose

3.2 Indonesian “B” was shorter, with bulky body, dark complexion, thick lips, and large nose.

It is said that the descendants of the Indonesians are the terrace-building tribes of Northern Luzon ( Ifugao), and also Igorots, Apayaos, Gaddangs, Kanlinga and Ibanags; the Mangyans of Mindoro; the Tagbanuas of Palawan; and the Bagobos, Bilaans, Bukidnons, Manobos, Mandaya, Subanuns, Tirurays, and other tribes of Mindanao.

a)They brought a more advanced culture than the Negritos, for they belonged to the New Stone ( Neolithic) Age, and they displaced the Negritos who moved to the mountains.

b)They had permanent dwellings, wore clothing and personal ornaments, and knew agriculture, mining and copper tools

  1. Malay Group

The Malays migrated from 300 BC to as late as the 14th and 15th centuries AD.There were several waves of Malay migration to these islands: (1) The first group representing the Bontoks, Ilongots and Tinggian of Northern Luzon,;(2) The second group representing the alphabet-using Malays who became the Tagalogs, Bicolanos, Pampangenous, Visayans and other Christian Filipinos; and (3) The Third group representing the Muslim Malays who were descendants of the present day Muslim

a)The seafaring, more civilized Malays who brought the Iron Age culture and introduced new industries like iron metal-smithing, pottery-making, cloth-weaving by loom and jewelry making.

b)They were the real colonizers and dominant cultural group in prehispanic Philippines.

c)They had organized settlements and better weapons, clothes and ornaments than the two previous groups.

The presentation of the waves of migration was further provided by Beyer Table of Philippine Ancestry in its result of population in 1942.8

A. Primitive Types ( Land- Migrating)

1. Australoid -Sakai ¾ percent : Paleolithic 2. Negrito – ¾ percent Paleolithic 3. Proto-Malay ( or short Mongoloid) 9 ¼ Mesolithic Total Population…….1,750,000 ( 10 percent) 4. Indonesian A – 12 percent 5.Indonesian B – 17 percent 6. Papuan ( or Melanesoid) – 1 percent Total Population…….5,250,000 ( 30 percent)

B.Early Iron Age Type ( Sea-migrating)

7. Northern Malay – 6 Percent: (Copper - Bronze Age) 8. Southern Malay – 30 percent ( True Iron Age) 9. Jar- burial People – 4 percent ( Proto- Chinese) Total Population….. 7,000,000 ( 40 percent)

C.Historic or Proto-historic Type ( Ship-Migrating) 10. Hindu ( Indian) – 5 percent 11. Arab ( or Persian) – 2 percent 12. Chinese ( and other East-Asians) – 10 percent 13. European and American – 3 percent Total Population …. 3,500,000

However popular and systematic may be this “migration theory unfortunately it must now be dismissed, because there is on definite evidence- archeological or historical evidence- to support it. On the contrary, there are sufficient evidence for doubting it, as presented by Dr. Sonia Zaide in her book,The Philippines: A Unique Nation.9

(1)Prof. Beyer used the 19th century scientific methods of progressive evolution and migratory diffusion as the basis for his hypothesis, which have now been proven to be too simple and unreliable to explain the prehistoric peopling of the Philippines.

(2) The empirical archeological data for this theory was based on surface finds and mere conjecture, with a lot of imagination and unproven data included. For example, there is no relic of the so-called “ Dawn Man,” so how could have existed? Beyer differentiates two types of Indonesian immigrants, describing them in vivid details as to include fair complexion, thin lips, aquiline, nose, etc. Again, there are no skeletal remains to prove this theory, and even if there were, the “ thinness of lips” can never be determined. Beyer also postulated that about 12 percent of the contemporary 20th century Filipinos descended from the Indonesian “ A” group and 3 percent from the “ B” group.

(3) New findings contradict the waves of migration theory and the existence of the “ Dawn Man” as the first Filipino. We have no evidence of there having been a “ Dawn Man,” who came to the Philippines about 250,000 years ago. Until today his skeletal remains or artifacts have not been discovered. So far the oldest human fossil found in the Philippines is the skull cap of a Stone_Age Filipino, about 22,000 years ago. This human relic was found by Dr. Robert B. Fow, American anthropologist of the National Musuem, inside Tabon Cave, in Palawan, on May 28, 1962. Hence the first Filipino may really be the “Tabon Man” or the “ Palawan Man:”

(4) Undue credit is given to the Malays as the original settlers of the lowland regions and the dominant cultural transmitter. The migration theory may be nice story, especially when it seems supported by some legends as the Ten Bornean Datus but in reality, the Malays, Indonesians, and Filipinos are co-equal ethnic groups in Southeast Asia, without being racially or culturally dominant. It was the Western colonizers who divided the Asian population into ethnic groups. In scholarship, the British popularized the term “ Malay” to mean the group of people whom hey encountered in the Malay Peninsula. The Portuguese, Germans, and the Dutch introduced the term “ Indonesians” for their colonials. Finally, the Spaniards and the Americans differentiated the Filipinos from their Southeast Asian cousins. In reality, we are one race with many shared customs and traditions. Thus, the migration theory is a figment of the colonial imagination.

(5) Finally, the migration theory does not agree with the real character of Filipinos, who are adaptive and highly creative people, because it suggests that we were only passive receptors of outside cultures. The migration theory shows a people whose total culture seems to have been “ imported” from outside, and each group maintained a more or less distinct personality form the other groups. The truth is that, although there are variations due to the islands’ geography, ancient peoples in the Philippines held many things in common and inter-acted dynamically.

There were interesting findings of Prof. Landa F. Jocano as to the prehistory studies of the fossil evidence of the early men in Southeast Asia including the peopling of the Philippines that Filipinos are Malays or that Filipino culture is derived from the Malays is to create a myth of origin which has no basis in fact. It is doubtful whether once can safely recognize Malay characteristics in the Java, Solo, Wadjak, Niah and Tabon fossil men – a population so widespread in the area prior to any prehistoric or proto-historic movement of people. In addition, influences of external cultures and local responses to them show recognizable differences during historic times, even if there was a common prehistoric culture which linked these ethnic groups. 10