Exotic beads and jar burials: social elaboration in the Old Kiyyangan Village, Ifugao, Philippines

Summary

Trade and interaction are linked to the development of social ranking among premodern societies, indications for which are seen on mortuary practices, particularly on the existence of exotic burial goods. Our excavations at Old Kiyyangan Village (OKV) in the northern Philippine highlands feature in-utero and infant ceramic jar burials with associated grave goods, primarily beads. The investigations reported in this presentation looks at the relationship between both the quality and quantity of the burial beads and the juveniles they were buried with. The varied amounts per grave could indicate an expression of social ranking in Ifugao society as supported by ethnographic studies of current Ifugao social classes and heirloom beads. The presence of Chinese-style glass beads in a Philippine site suggests a network of trade between Ifugao and other Philippine or Asian polities. A comparison of the Ifugao beads to other styles of Philippine and Chinese beads can provide insight on shared cultural processes, craftsmanship, and traditions. In this study we expect to see a pattern of bead quality, quantity, and style related to juvenile jar burials. This analysis will provide a better understanding of Ifugao social practices and how it compares to other Philippine sites.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 16646