Manunggul

The Manunggul Jar was recovered at Chamber A of Manunggul Cave in Palawan. It is an elaborately designed burial jar with anthropomorphic figures on top of the cover that represent souls sailing to the afterworld in a death boat. The figure on the rear is holding a steering paddle with both hands; the blade of the paddle is missing. Both figures appear to be wearing a band tied over the crown of the head and under the jaw. The manner in which the hands of the front figure are folded across the chest is a widespread practice in the Philippines and Southeast Asia when arranging the corpse.

 

The prao is carved like a head with eyes, nose, and mouth. This motif of carving is still found on the traditional sea vessels of the Sulu Archipelago, Borneo, Malaysia. The execution of the ears, eyes, and nose has similarities with the contemporary woodcarvings of Taiwan, the Philippines, and many areas in Southeast Asia.

 

It is dated to as early as 710 - 890 B.C. The Manunggul jar was declared a National Treasure and its portrait is on the 1000 Philippine peso bill.

 

philmuseum.tripod.com/archaeo.htm

 

This is a replica of the jar we have at home.

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