ARCHEOLOGY OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS 
By Ovov R. T. JANSE 
(With 15 plates] 
The Philippine Islands have been in bygone days one of the cul- 
tural crossroads of the Pacific. In spite of the interest shown in many 
quarters to further, by means of archeological excavations, our knowl- 
edge of the ancient civilization of these islands and the cultural cur- 
rents that have passed through them, so far only sporadic efforts have 
been made in that direction. There does not yet exist in the Islands 
an effective central organization responsible for the direction, super- 
vision, and coordination of such research,! which could be compared, 
for example, with the archeological survey of French Indochina, 
L’Ecole Francaise d’Extréme-Orient, founded about half a century 
ago by President Paul Doumer, while he held the position of Gover- 
nor General. This organization has not only served as a training 
ground for French Orientalists of world renown, but has gradually 
become, through its research activities, its field work, and its publi- 
cations, one of the foremost centers for the promotion of our knowl- 
edge concerning the origin and development of the great civilizations 
of Asia. Other such organizations have been successfully developed 
in India, the East Indies, and elsewhere in the Far East. 
The few collections of pre-Spanish antiquities in the Philippines 
consist principally of Chinese ceramics. As in many instances, no 
records have been kept concerning the circumstances under which the 
objects were found, their documentary value is considerably weakened 
and they are partly to be regarded as curiosities. It is also regrettable 
that so little has been published concerning excavations carried out 
under scientific control. | 
The late President Manuel Quezon was eager to remedy this sit- 
uation and to have young Filipinos trained to organize and direct 
an efficient archeological survey. While conducting archeological 
excavations in the Philippines, sponsored by Harvard University, the 
writer was granted an audience by President Quezon in December 
1 At the time of the American intervention, plans were conceived for such research, 
but not carried out. See H. W. Krieger, Peoples of the Philippines, Smithsonian Insti- 
tution War Background Studies No. 4, 1942. 
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