1,000-year-old village found in Philippines

The site, situated on a jungle-covered mountaintop near Mulanay town in Quezon province, is said to have 15 limestone coffins that have never been discovered before, officials said on Thursday.

Based on US carbon dating tests carried out on a human tooth found in one of graves, the village could be at least 1,000 years old, said National Museum official, Eusebio Dizon.

A preliminary National Museum report stated that its top archaeologists found "a complex archaeological site with both habitation and burial remains from the period of approximately 10th to the 14th century ... the first of its kind in the Philippines having carved limestone tombs."

The discovery of the rectangular tombs is of historical importance because it is the first indication that ancient Filipinos practised a more advanced burial ritual than experts previously thought. The discoveries also indicate that metal tools were used within the settlement to carve the coffins.

Archaeologists also found shards of earthen jars, metal objects and bone fragments belonging to monkeys, wild pigs, humans and other animals in the tombs within the government-protected forest.

The decision has been welcomed amongst the local community. The coastal town of Mulanay, with a population of 50,000 people, was

previously best known as a major battleground between army troops and Marxist rebels of the New People's Army., but the local mayor hopes the discovery will alter this perception.

The mayor of Mulanay, Joselito Ojeda, said "Before, if you mentionthis region, people will say 'Oh, that's NPA country.'

"But that era is past and now we can erase that image and this archaeological site will be a big help," she added.

After archaeologists have finished their work, Mulanay tourism officer Sanny Cortez plans to turn Mount Kamhantik's peak into an archaeological and ecotourism park alongside a museum.