Bolinao Skull
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| Bolinao Skull | |
|---|---|
| Year | 14th-15th century |
| Type | Skull |
| Dimensions | 11.5 mm × 10 mm (0.45 in × 0.39 in)[1] |
| Location | National Museum of Anthropology, Manila |
| Owner | National Museum of the Philippines |
The Bolinao Skull is an archaeological discovery excavated at the Balingasay Archaeological Site in Bolinao, Pangasinan in the Philippines. The Bolinao Skull is considered to be a one-of-a-kind find due to its gold dental decorations that resemble fish scales. This human skull find paved the way for further study of ornamental, burial, and trade practices by the people of the Philippines, particularly during the pre-Spanish period.[2]
Excavation
The Bolinao Skull was discovered during an excavation led by archaeologists from the National Museum of the Philippines. Its distinct feature is dental decorations made of gold. At the Balingasay Site in Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines, archaeologists excavated 67 skulls, all of which had their teeth decorated in gold and were found with tradeware ceramics dating to the early Ming Dynasty in China circa 15th century AD. The ornaments measure 10 millimeters wide by 11.5 millimeters in height. The gold scales were observed to be on the buccal surface of the upper and lower incisor and canine teeth.[1][3][4]
The teeth were found to have had holes drilled in them, filled by gold disks, plugs, pegs, or wire. Each type of ornament has a unique design.[5]
The Bolinao Skull dates to the 14th and 15th century AD and was likely an inhabitant of Pangasinan. This discovery reveals the ornate method of decorating teeth that was part of native Philippine culture before the Spanish occupation in 1521. The Bolinao Skull is on display at the Pang-ulo Exhibit, at the National Museum of Anthropology, a component museum of the National Museum of the Philippines.[1][2][3]
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