Artifacts trace cultural links between Ivatans, Taiwanese

ILAGAN, Isabela — Artifacts dug in the island province of Batanes revealed some cultural links between the Ivatans and the inhabitants of Taiwan’s Orchid Island (Lan Yu).

According to the unpublished study of scientists Peter Bellwood and Dr. Eusebio Dizon of the National Museum, relics such as iron tools, Taiwan slates and nephrite, which were used to make tools and ornaments in sitio Anaro in Itbayat, Batanes show that the Orchid Island was inhabited by the Ivatans since the time of Christ.

The two scientists have been conducting prehistoric studies in Batanes, a tiny island province near the Babuyan and Balintang Channels in the South China Sea’s northernmost, which is predominantly inhabited by Ivatans.

Bellwood, an archeologist and natural history professor at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, said the artifacts disclosed "intensive connections between the people of Anaro (in Itbayat, Batanes) and Orchid Island even before Christ’s death."

The most antique evidence of activity in Batanes province, Bellwood added, was discovered in Turungan Cave in Itbayat. It consists of shards of pottery that have been carbon-dated to around 1,600 B

In their initial findings, the two scientists found out that the Tao tribe, known as Yami people who have been residing in Lan Yu Island in southeastern Taiwan, are of Ivatan origin.

The Yamis in Taiwan have been regularly visiting Batanes province for the past ten years to establish cultural ties with the Ivatans. On the other hand, the Ivatans also visit Orchid Island in Taiwan.