572 



^^ a 

 Field Museum of Natural History 



Department of Anthropology 

 Chicago, 1922 



Lbaflbt Number 2 



The Philippine Forge Group 



(Hall 9, Case 21) 



The finest headaxes and spear-points made in north- 

 western Luzon (Philippine Islands) come from Balbala- 

 sang and the other villages of the upper Buklok, or 

 Saltan river, just at the boundary between the Tinguian 

 and Kalinga tribes. It is of interest to note that in this 

 and in other more or less isolated districts of the 

 Philippines we find the peculiar method of iron-working, 

 which is here described, while along the coast it has 

 vanished, or is of little importance. 



The same condition is found in Assam, Burma, 

 Eastern Madagascar, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and other 

 islands to the east, making it evident that iron-working 

 was an ancient art throughout Malaysia, and that it 

 spread from a common center. 



The Tinguian iron-workers do not mine or smelt the 

 native ore, although there is an abundance in their 

 territory, but secure the metal from Chinese traders on 

 the coast. In view of the fact that many of the pagan 

 tribes of the islands to the south do now, or did until 

 recently, smelt the ore, it seems altogether probable that 

 the Philippine tribesman also had knowledge of the 

 process, but gave it up when trade relations made such 

 arduous work unnecessary. 



The forge here illustrated comes from Inalagan, one 

 of the small settlements which makes up the community 

 of Balbalasang ( "the town of many maidens"). It stood 

 in a small structure with grass roof, but without sides 

 or floor. At one end of such a structure is a bamboo 



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