BOLJOON, Cebu – Gold jewelries, antique jars and plates, and 13 centuries-old skeletons were found in a digging site at the church plaza here, proving claims of townsfolk that rich Cebuanos were buried at the plaza ground during the 15th century.
Jojo Bersales, Cebu Provincial Government consultant on heritage and museum affairs, said several gold jewelries, antique relics, 15th century jars and plates, and 13 centuries old skeletons were found in a digging site at the plaza of Boljoon Church, south of Cebu City.
Although Bersales said the details of the findings will be announced in a press conference today (Tuesday), he said the digging site could be a burial ground for affluent families in the 15th century based on the way the skeletons were dressed and with the jewelries and antiques that surrounded them.
Bersales, who is also the chairman of the Socio / Anthro Department of the University of San Carlos in Cebu City, said the practice of including jewelries, jars, and other valuable materials in burial grounds dates back to the early 15th century before the Spaniards arrived in the Cebu.
When the Spaniards introduced Christianity in the country, the said burial practice of placing jewelries in the body of the dead became prohibited, said Bersales.
The details of the discovery, including the reason for the digging, will be revealed in a press conference today.
Last year, a team from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology of the University of San Carlos and the National Museum also discovered skeletons within the Boljoon church grounds.
Bersales said the gold jewelries will be deposited to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for safe keeping.
