UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY

AND

CULTURAL HERITAGE
IN THE PHILIPPINES

National
Museum
2013

LUZON

VISAYAS

MINDANAO

FILIPINO HERITAGE
The Philippines with its more than 7,000

islands has a very long prehistory and

historical pasts
Rich with diverse array of cultural heritage

exhibited in its numerous cultural

properties
Underwater Cultural Properties

Underwater
Archaeological
Sites
Ca. 1,000 years
ago to 1945 AD
Age

of Trade

Historic
Period

UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL
SITES - IMMOVABLE CULTURAL
PROPERTY
Archaeological Site terrestrial

and underwater sites that yield

evidences that depict pre or early
historic events that are significant
to the nation.

UNDERWATER CULTURAL
PROPERTIES
Include:
Shipwrecks that could be traced back

from Prehistoric Period (Junks from

Asia)
Shipwrecks (Ships and galleons)
during the Spanish Colonial Period
Shipwrecks (Japanese and American)
dated back to World War II
Water logged sites (submerged sites)
Submerged historic sites

ARCHAEOLOGICAL
EXPLORATION AND
EXCAVATION

UNDERWATER
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
NATIONAL MUSEUM
is the only government
EXCAVATION
agency that handles underwater
archaeological exploration and excavation
It conducts research on Underwater
Archaeology with local and foreign entities
It regulates and monitors underwater
archaeological activities
It issues permit to conduct underwater
archaeological exploration and excavation
It protects and preserves underwater
archaeological sites

ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCHES
National Museum enters into
agreement with Far Eastern
Foundation for Nautical, Inc
(FEFNA)
Royal Captain Shoal, Palawan
Griffin Vessel, Basilan
Investigator Shoal Junk,

Palawan
San Jose Galleon, Zambales
San Diego Galleon, Batangas
San Isidro Junk, Zambales
Lena Shoal Junk, Palawan
Royal Captain Vessel,

Palawan
Espanola Junk, Palawan
Santa Cruz Junk, Zambales

Underwater
Archaeological
Excavation San Diego
Wreck Site, Batangas

ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCHES
WITH LOCAL AND FOREIGN
ENTITIES
National Museum enter into an
agreement with entities
All significant objects (outstanding,
exemplary, rare, unique) are
property of the state
Ordinary objects can be shared with
the entities provided that the share
will be used for educational purposes
No commercialization of underwater
archaeological objects

REGULATION / SITE
16 century site in San
INSPECTION
Isidro Samar (Spanish
th

Period)
World War II vessel,
Masinloc, Zambales
Japanese World War II
vessels, Cagayan,
Masbate and Romblon
Japanese World War II
vessel, Pagudpud,
Ilocos Norte
Shipwreck with Ming
Dynasty ceramics,
Roxas City, Capiz

PROTECTION / PRESERVATION
De la Vida Keel in

Puerto Galera,
Mindoro
San Diego Wreck
Site
World War II Wreck
Sites, Subic Bay
Sula Channel, Albay
Balangay Site,
Butuan City
Sunken Cemetery,
Camiguin

Puerto Galera, Mindoro

San Diego Wreck Site

Subic Bay Ship Wrecks

Centuries Old Logs, Sula

Channel, Albay

Balangay Site, Butuan City

Sunken Cemetery (1871),

Camiguin

COORDINATION WITH OTHER

GOVERNMENT LAW ENFORCING
AGENCIES

Philippine Coast Guard

Philippine Navy
Philippine Marines
Office of the Special Envoy for
Transnational Crime
National Agencies Law Enforcing
Coordinating Committee
Department of Local Government
Department of Foreign Affairs

FUTURE PROGRAMS
Documentation of American

Shipwrecks in the Philippines

Documentation of Japanese Shipwrecks
in the Philippines
Declaration of Underwater
Archaeological Sites as National
Cultural Treasures and Important
Cultural Properties
In-Situ Preservation of declared sites to
comply with the basic principle of
UNESCO Convention on Underwater
Cultural Heritage