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Tigkiw na Saday (Casiguran, Sorsogon)

This week, the National Museum of the Philippines features prehistoric jar burials from the Little Tigkiw Site, a burial site locally known as “Tigkiw na Saday” in the Municipality of Casiguran, Province of Sorsogon.


In 1978, a National Museum of the Philippines archaeology team led by Dr. Eusebio Dizon was excavating in Barangay Escuala, Casiguran, when local authorities informed them about a nearby site. The team hiked for 45 minutes to the hilltops, at the intersection of the municipal boundaries of Casiguran, Gubat, and Barcelona, Sorsogon, to survey the area. When they arrived, previous pothunting activities at the site became evident, as confirmed by reports from the property caretaker.


The excavation at the Little Tigkiw Site unearthed a total of eight burial jars with covers. The earthenware jars are plain and unslipped.


Want to know more about the site? You may download the 1979 publication of the final report on “Tigkiw na Saday: A Jar Burial Site” by Dr. Eusebio Z. Dizon here: https://tinyurl.com/TigkiwNaSaday


The National Museum of the Philippines has temporarily closed again to the public due to the rising cases of COVID-19. In the meantime, please Stay Home, Stay Safe, enjoy the National Museum of the Philippines’ Museum From Home series, and stay tuned for a virtual tour of the “Palayok: The Ceramic Heritage of the Philippines” exhibit.


Text by Gerard John Palaya, image colorization by Randy Episcope, and poster by Timothy James Vitales | NMP Archaeology Division.


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