| Abstract: |
Introduction: This article is a summary site report of excavations at Musang Cave, a limestone cave located in the municipality of Penablanca, in northern Luzon, Philippines (Fig. 1). The cave is in the western foothills of the Sierra Madre. There are many archaeological sites in this region. From November 1976 to February 1977 researchers from the National Museum of the Philippines conducted an archaeological survey of approximately 35 km2 in the area surrounding Musang Cave. In all, 71 caves and 7 rock shelters were located, 43 of which have archaeological remains. These are primarily habitation sites. In addition, 21 open sites, lithic workshops, and habitation sites were found (Ronquillo and Santiago 1977). Musang Cave was used for habitation from approximately 10,000 B.C. to recently. Two different assemblages were excavated. The earlier one consists of flake tools, shell, and animal bone, and dates from approximately 10,000-4500 B.C. During this time the cave was used as a frequentation site by hunters and gatherers. The second assemblage dates from approximately 4500 B.C. to recently. It contains the same type of flake tools, shell, and bone as in the earlier period, but also contains pottery, human bone, and a few beads, earrings and other ornaments, a brass needle, and other artifacts·. This assemblage is probably also the remains of hunters and gatherers, with the pottery and other new artifact types being obtained in trade from nearby agriculturalists. The site is important for several reasons. It is one of the earliest dated sites in Luzon. The pottery dates from 4000 B. c. or possibly earlier. This is some of the earliest dated pottery from anywhere in the Philippines. Also of importance is the brass needle. It is possibly as old as 2680 B. C., which is a very early date for brass.
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