The Maitum Burial Jars
In the early 1990s, a remarkable archaeological discovery took place within Ayub Cave in Barangay Pinol, Maitum, Sarangani Province. Led by Dr. Eusebio Dizon of the National Museum of the Philippines, a team of archaeologists uncovered a fascinating collection of mortuary pottery. These artifacts, representing both human-like (anthropomorphic) and non-human forms, were used for secondary burials in ancient times.
The most striking of these jars feature lids shaped as human heads—complete with eyes, ears, noses, mouths, and even teeth—while their jar bodies are adorned with arms, hands, breasts, or genitals, offering a vivid glimpse into the ancient burial practices of early Filipinos. Over 200 containers filled with sherds and broken yet restorable jars were unearthed and transported to the National Museum for further study.
Today, these extraordinary artifacts, known as the Maitum Burial Jars, are on display at the Kaban ng Lahi Gallery in the National Museum of Anthropology, inviting visitors to witness a tangible connection to the country’s ancient past.