Philippine ceramics are mostly earthenware, pottery that has not been fired to the point of vitrification. Other types of pottery like tradeware and stoneware have been fired at high enough temperatures to vitrify. Earthenware ceramics in the Philippines are mainly differentiated from tradeware and stoneware by the materials used during the process and the temperature at which they are fired. Additionally, earthenware and stoneware pottery can generally be referred to as ceramics that are made with local materials, while tradeware ceramics can generally be referred to as ceramics that are made with non-local materials.Chang, K-J. Social use and value of trade ceramics: an analysis of mortuary practices in Calatagan, southwest Luzon, the Philippines. Diss. UCL (University College London), 2008.
https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/14280/1/505506.pdf
Functions Earthenware ceramics had many different functions in the Philippines. In regards, to where it was produced it seems to have been in a domestic scenario. Most of the functions can be seen as utilitarian or ritualistic. According to Alice Yao, one of the main functions of earthenware was in feasting, meaning that the earthenware was mostly cooking pots, bowls and goblets. Other functions were in the reinforcing of alliances amongst groups, as it was the example between the lowlanders and highlanders in the Philippines when trading, whether political or economic. Earthenware was also used for burial, mainly secondary burial, in the form of jars and jarlets, and anthropomorphic vessels. Lastly, the earthenware was used in ritualistic and ceremonial events, such as those associated with burial.
Techniques Earthenware vessels in the Philippines were formed by two main techniques: paddle and anvil, and coiling and scraping. Although a level of highly skilled craftsmanship is present in the Philippines, no evidence of kilns are found, primarily because the type of clay to be found in the archipelago can only withstand relatively low temperatures of firing.Salcedo, C. G. (1998),"The Potter's genius." Kasaysayan: The Story of the Filipino people. 2: The earliest Filipinos. Maynila: Asian Publishing Company, Ltd. Reader's Digest. In Rodriguez-Tatel., (2004). Pagburnayan: Ang ladaoan ng mga Iloko sa tradisyong seramiko ng Filipinas. Journal ng Wikang Filipino 12 (1)
Primary surface treatment There are five primary modes of surface treatment in the Philippines. First is the simple scraping and perhaps polishing of the surface leaving it relatively smooth. Second is the application of liquid, which includes slipping, glazing, or painting (red hematite). Third is the incised or cutting out of various geometric patterns. Fourth is impressed similar to stamping designs directly into the surface. Finally the fifth method is applique treatment or the application of additional clay which raises the surface of the earthenware and produces a design.
Timeline
Prehistoric and pre-colonial Philippines Neolithic period in the Philippines is assigned to the timeline between c.4500 to 3000 years before present (yBP).Balbaligo, Y. E. Ceramics and social practices at Ille Cave, Philippines. Diss. UCL (University College London), 2015.
https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1465410/1/balbaligo2015text.pdf During this period, the red-slipped pottery with circular impressions seems to have been dominant.
'Metal period' c. 2500 to 1500 bp or Metal Age (500 BCE - AD 960 or 500 BCE - 500 AD).
Pre-colonial period, there was a more centralized production of pottery in certain areas. An example of one of those sites is Tanjay in the Negros Island, which existed from AD 500 - 1600, however it extents a little into the colonial period as well. However it is important to notice that the period in which Tanjay was producing earthenware was during the mid-1st and mid-2nd millennium
During this period, earthenware ceramics were developed to cook, store food, and practice ancient rituals Valdes, Cynthia O., and Wilfredo P. Ronquillo. Pang-alay : ritual pottery in ancient Philippines. Makati City, Philippines: Ayala Foundation in cooperation with the Oriental Ceramic Society of the Philippines, 2003. Print
Colonial Philippines The colonial period (c. 1521–1898) in the Philippines began in 1521 when Ferdinand Magellan first discovered the Philippines and would end in 1898 when the Spanish government would sell the Philippines to the United States.
By the establishment of the Manila-Acapulco Trade, or the Manila Galleon Trade, in 1565, trade in the Philippines would start to decline as local populations and economies would be disrupted and displaced. A direct consequence of this destruction of villages and prestige goods-based economies would be the decrease in production of earthenware as well as the fragmentation of lowlanders from the highlanders.
Post-colonial and contemporary Philippines
Post-colonial period (1946-1986) Domestic Production decreased even more during this period. Utilitarian use is the only type which survived.
Contemporary period (1986-present) Traditional, non-industrious techniques are still used today in the Philippines. These include Open-air firing, non-wheel production located in Talibon, Valencia.
Earthenware sites in the Philippines When referring to the Northern Philippines, this will include the islands of Luzon, Babuyan, and Batanes.
Northern Philippines
Batanes Islands The Batanes Islands are a group of islands located in the northernmost region of Luzon in the Municipality of Calayan, province of Cagayan, Cagayan Valley just below Taiwan (19° 31′ 20″ N, 121° 57′ 13″ E). Archeological sites contained boat-shaped stone (limestone and coral stone) burials which are unique to the region. Several earthenware bowls and "high-fired" sherds were found associated with burial remains.
Babuyan Island Babuyan Island is an island located in the northern region of Luzon in the Municipality of Calayan, province of Cagayan, Cagayan Valley below the Batanes Islands (19° 31′ 20″ N, 121° 57′ 13″ E). Archeological sites were discovered on Fuga Island by Willheim Solheim in 1952. Burial jars made of earthenware were the most significant find and were one of the sources or supporting evidence that Solheim utilized to create his article on burial jars in ISEA.
Luzon Island Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines located in the northernmost region of the Philippines, north of Mindoro, Marinduque, and Masbate (16° 0′ 0″ N, 121° 0′ 0″ E). Significant sites are found at the Pintu Rockshelter in the Nueva Vizcaya Province, Dimolit on Palanan Bay in Isabela Province and Lal-lo in the Cagayan Province of Northern Luzon.
Pintu Rockshelter and Dimolit were excavated in 1969 by Warren Peterson who believed hunter and gatherers seasonally occupied the sites at approximately 5,120BP, 3,900BP, and 3280BP. Evidence of Coiling and the paddle and anvil earthenware production were found at both sites. Mainly shallow dishes with low pedestal feet were excavated at Pintu and many contained impressed circles on their surfaces. Small and large post-holes were found at Dimolit, which aided its classification as an open habitation site. Earthenware pottery interior and exterior exhibited plain or red-slipped surface treatment. Pottery found was constructed into dishes which had perforations (circle or square) on the bottom. Also globular and angled vessels were found.
Lal-lo is considered by some archaeologists to be the most extensive shell midden site in Southeast Asia. Excavations have been conducted by Thiel in 1980, Aoyagi in 1983, Aoyagi and Tananka in 1985, and Ogawa and Aguilera in 1987. A sum of 21,664 earthenware sherds have been recovered and multiple types of vessels (red-slipped jars, bowls with ring footing, and shallow bowls with paddle impressions) have been collected.
Kalinga Kalinga is a province situated in the central region of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in northern Luzon that is bordered by the province of Mountain to the south, the province of Abra to the east, the province of Isabela to the east, the province of Cagayan to the northeast, and the province of Apayao to the north (17° 45′ 00″ N, 121° 15′ 00″ E). There are evidence, indicating part-time production of earthenware pottery.
Batangas Batangas is a province situated in the Calabarzon region in southern Luzon that is bordered by the province of Cavite and Laguna to the north and the province of Quezon to the east (13° 50′ 00″ N, 121° 00′ 00″ E).
Most significant archaeological site is the Laurel site also referred to as the Taal-Lemery complex. Multiple field teams from the National Museum have conducted excavations at this site. Primarily Metal Age pottery is found and is considered by some to be the most equiset earthenware production found in the region post Neolithic. Vessels found are typically highly polished or re-slipped. Chinese ceramics heavily influenced earthenware production at this site. Unauthorized excavations and pothunters were detrimental to several sites. Fortunately, Maharlika A. Cuevas (Research Assistant) found one site fully intact. Cuevas claims the site may have also previously been a burial site.
Most significant artifact found is the Calatagan Pot found in Talisay, Calatagan, Batangas. Archeologist Eusebio Z. Dizon describes the Calatagan Pot as atypical and engraved with syllabic writing around the vessel's shoulder around. Additionally it the only earthenware found in the Philippines with inscriptions and is indicative of ancient writing. The inscriptions have yet to be fully deciphered and some experts believe it should be considered a National Cultural Treasure.
Quezon Quezon is a province situated in the Calabarzon region in southern Luzon that is bordered by the province of Aurora to the north, the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Batangas to the west, and the provinces of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur to the east (14° 10′ 00″ N, 121° 50′ 00″ E).
Paradijon Paradijon is located within the Municipality of Gubat, the province of Sorsogon, Bicol (12.912° 00′ 00" N, 124.1176° 00′ 00" E). There are evidence, indicating full-time pottery production of earthenware.
Marinduque Island Marinduque Island is an island located east of Mindoro and west of Luzon in the Municipality of Boac, Mimaropa (13°24′N 121°58′E).
Central Philippines The region, Central Philippines, refers to the regions below Luzon and above Mindanao, which includes the Visayas.
Palawan Island Palawan Island is the fifth largest island in the Philippines located in the westernmost region of the Philippines (9° 30′ 00" N 118° 30′ 00"E).
A few of the sites containing earthenware in the Palawan Island are El Nido, specifically Ille cave and Lipuun Point, more specifically the Tabon Caves, where the Mannungul Jar was found by Dr. Robert Fox and date to the late Neolithic.
Visayas Islands The Visayas Islands consist of the 6 major islands:
Panay Negros Cebu Bohol Leyte Samar
and is located in the central region of the Philippines.
The specific islands in which sites have been found are Masbate, Bohol and Negros. In Masbate, the main sites are located in the Batungan Mountain. In the island of Negros, in the region of Tanjay, there have been earthenware pottery uncovered and of low-fired production. Lastly, in Bohol island, there is a relevant burial site in District Ubijan, Tagbilaran city where earthenware was found and has been analyzed in order to assess this island as a likely source of a center of production. This research was achieved by doing petro analysis. The results of this research claimed that if Bohol were to be a center of production, other earthenwares in the region had to have similar signatures to the clay and temper existent in the Island of Bohol.
Panay Island