Tabon Cave declared national cultural treasure

MANILA, Philippines - The Tabon Cave Complex in the town of Quezon in Palawan province was formally declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines.

National Museum director Jeremy Barns, representatives of the Palawan provincial government, a representative of the UNESCO and archeologists from Indonesia, Thailand, France, Belgium and the US unveiled a marker at the cave’s entry.

The Tabon cave complex, located in Lipuun Point, Quezon, covers 138 hectares of rugged cliffs and deep slopes. It was discovered by the late American Robert Fox and his team of archaeologists from the National Museum in 1962.

Excavations in the cave done from 1962 to 1970 yielded an important archaeological find – fossil human bones tentatively dated from 22,000 to 24,000 years ago. Of the 200 caves found in Lipuun Point, only 29 caves were fully explored, including Tabon Cave, which was found to have been used for habitation and/or burial sites by ancient people.

Because of its importance to Philippine history and heritage, the site was declared a Museum Reservation Site in 1972. Out of the 29 explored caves, only three caves are open for visitors.

The Tabon cave complex is being maintained and managed by the National Museum.