Historical archaeological proposal of las pinas salt beds Essay Example
Historical archaeological proposal of las pinas salt beds Essay Example

Historical archaeological proposal of las pinas salt beds Essay Example

Available Only on StudyHippo
Topics:
  • Pages: 6 (1393 words)
  • Published: July 4, 2016
  • Type: Case Study
View Entire Sample
Text preview

The aim of this paper is to suggest the excavation of the former salt-making site in Las Pinas. This particular location, situated near the coast of Manila Bay, played a significant part in the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade from the 16th to 19th century. The paper will present historical context, current conditions, and a proposal for excavating the site to determine Las Pinas' ownership and role in salt production during the 18th - 19th century. Through this excavation, we can gain insights into Las Pinas' industrial advancements during colonial times. The main source for this paper will be an examination of past and present salt beds and their history.

Project description & summary: The researcher proposes to conduct an archaeological site examination at Barangay Pulanglupa Uno, Bernabe Compound,

...

Las Pinas City. This site, located at the northwest border of Manila Bay, was once home to 2 hectares (approx) of salt beds from the 16th to the 19th century. According to the Las Pinas City website1, this location was a fishing village that produced salt. The salt was solar-dried using clay tiles or gibak, which were shipped from Vigan to ensure the salt did not touch the ground.

The current site consists mostly of residential structures and a few commercial establishments. The Las Pinas Dump Site is located on the northwest side of the salt beds, while the south and southeastern sides are made up of residential and commercial areas. In order to excavate the site, approval from the government of Las Pinas is required due to the presence of established human settlements. Additionally, plans must be made for the relocation of thes

View entire sample
Join StudyHippo to see entire essay

settlements during the excavation period. It is also necessary to present a feasibility study and archaeological plan to the Villar Foundation, as they own the property.

  1. Engineer Dexter Gonzales from Villar Foundation said that the salt beds are only existent during summer. Due to the isolated rain showers of the season (July - November)2, they converted the salt beds into fish ponds. Lastly, since the northwest side of the site is a dump site, sanitation authority should do inspection before further excavation.

2. The research problem is

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the importance of salt beds in colonial trade and their ownership. It seeks to determine if the salts produced were traded or exported to other parts of the Philippines and/or other countries. By answering these questions, we can identify the role Las Pinas played in colonial trade. Additionally, we aim to examine if locals primarily owned the salt beds during the mid-colonial era, which can provide insight into industries that contributed to urbanization in the area.
Furthermore, we will address whether transforming salt beds into fish ponds during the rainy season indicates a lack of sustenance from Manila Bay for inhabitants of Las Pinas. In the dry season, when salt beds are popular, did residents rely on other sources of sustenance like vegetation or domesticated animals? Did they use salt for preserving specialty foods? These inquiries will help uncover how people lived before urbanization. By combining excavation on-site with existing literature, most of these questions can be answered.

Previous research has been conducted.

The Manila Bay was investigated as a secondary

focal point. During the investigation, the researcher came across a strategy study known as the "Manila Bay Coastal Strategy," which was published in October 2001. This strategy was developed by PEMSEA, an arrangement involving various stakeholders from the Seas of East Asia. The stakeholders include national and local governments, civil society, the private sector, research and education institutions, communities, international agencies, regional programmes, financial institutions, and donors.

The Manila Coastal Strategy outlines the historical background and environmental assets of the Manila Bay, including the demographics and ethnicities of the people residing in its coastal habitats. While it does not mention the salt beds in Las Pinas, it does provide valuable data on the pre-history, history, and coastal communities of Manila Bay. The establishment of the Villar Foundation is responsible for the salt beds.

The year 2005 saw the rejuvenation of the salt beds in addition to various other means of making a living, such as coconut weaving, fishport operations, compost production, and recycled crafting.

4. The residents were provided with a sustainable source of income and a tourist attraction through the revival of the salt beds.

5. The researcher attempted to find online literature supporting any findings on salt beds, but none was found. As a result, the location of the salt bed remains undisclosed and there has been minimal excavation conducted. One possible source of historical material is the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy by PEMSEA, which provides insight into the history and surroundings of Manila Bay. Additionally, this work offers information about the culture and people living near the coast. To investigate the location further, an old map of Metro

Manila from 1898 can be used to analyze old boundaries that may be relevant to the study.

Examining the clay tiles discovered in the salt beds could shed light on potential interactions if they were brought from another location. Valuable information about the salt beds can be obtained from older individuals, as there is limited literature on this topic. The data provided by those who worked at the salt beds, along with the artifacts found at the site, can aid in forming theories about local involvement in the salt beds.

There are six ways to do it

According to Engineer Gonzales, the researcher suggests interviewing the old-timers who were the locals of Las Pinas and owned the lands that housed the salt beds prior to the construction of Coastal Road 6. The old-timers may possess information about the reasons behind choosing Las Pinas for the salt beds instead of other coastal areas in Manila Bay.

The purpose of gathering information from the old-timers is to gain knowledge about the land scope and locations, materials used in salt production, and the saltmaking industry in Las Pinas. This information will assist in determining the timeline of any artifacts found on the site. Additionally, insights into industries related to salt-making can be obtained from the older generation.

Excavating the site is strongly advised, although it may be time-consuming because permits are required. An obstacle is that the potential excavation area is presently being utilized as a dump, which might impede or contaminate the artifacts. Additionally, exploring the quantity of clay tiles employed in salt production could offer valuable knowledge about the

industry's development. Below is an image showing the excavatable region for obtaining pertinent information.

and unify the text below, keeping the and their contents

The text below discusses the analysis.

The methods mentioned above will determine the role of salt in Las Pinas' community. By excavating trading pots with appropriate dating, we can identify how salt was distributed through colonial or local trade. The type of pots found will indicate the trade relations in the area. Additionally, if any machinery is discovered, it can help measure the scale of salt trading. This information will complement what we learn from the old-timers who have firsthand knowledge about the limited historical records on salt beds. Their insights will provide a glimpse into the past and industries associated with these beds. Excavating the site will also uncover details about vegetation and past inhabitants' livelihoods since Las Pinas used to be a fishing village before urbanization took place. It's worth noting that until the 18th century, Las Pinas was part of Paranaque but became an independent municipality in 1907.

The origin of the salt beds could reveal important information about the ownership and operation of the salt industry, shedding light on the status of locals during Spanish colonization. If it is discovered that locals were responsible for owning and operating these beds, it would provide insight into their role in the industry. The rapid urbanization in Las Pinas City led to the construction of roads and highways, aligning with development in the reclamation bay area. Unfortunately, this constant dredging and construction work had a negative impact on both the salt-making industry and fishing

community. According to Urban Bias theory, there is an inequality between urban and rural areas when it comes to consumption, wages, and productivity levels. As a result, while industries thrive in upper parts of the city, coastal areas such as Las Pinas City struggle to sustain themselves amidst remnants of its once thriving water culture.

Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New