Boljoon dig yields gold

CEBU, Philippines - People seem to be finding valuables in the most inlikely places lately. First it was money in a dumpsite. Now it is gold in church grounds.

An archaeological team from the University of San Carlos Sociology and Anthropology Department recovered a meter-long continuous loop gold necklace following a month-long dig in Boljoon, particularly in the grounds of the Boljoon Church and convent.

The necklace is believed to have been worn by a female living in the late 1500s.

Jojo Bersales, chairman of the department, said the gold piece was the fifth gold piece unearthed at the site since 2007 in the course of a series of month-long digs.

The latest find, referred to by natives as “inahas” or snake-like, is believed to be between 14-karat to 18-karat gold. It weighs 34.1 grams and is estimated to fetch P22,650.00 based on prevailing gold prices.

Bersales, however, said the historical significance and archaeological value of the piece is of extreme importance that no value can be placed on it.

All the recovered gold pieces form part of the first ever on-site recovery of gold in the Philippines and have been officially recorded by the National Museum as from Boljoon, an eastern coastal town 103 kilometers south of Cebu City.

According to Bersales, the fourth round of excavations began on March 24 and will continue until Holy Wednesday.

Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and the Boljoon Parish priest gave permission for this dig and it is being supported by Governor Gwen Garcia through the Committee on Sites, Relics and Structures. The Municipality of Boljoon, as well as the Boljoon Heritage Foundation, Inc.have also provided important logistical support for the project.

Aside from the gold pieces, other finds also reported were a rare porcelain-covered powder box believed to be used for storing lime and other materials for betel nut chewing. The design of the said porcelain reminiscent of rare and unique wares made during the Ming Dynasty.Another Chinese ware was recovered from a burial site for a female comprised of a dish with a design similar to mass-produced Zhangzhou wares. (/JST) (THE FREEMAN)