Recent Archaeological Research in Batan Island, Batanes, Northern Philippines and its Contribution to Philippine Prehistory: Recognition and Tribute to Dr. Bong Dizon

Ame M. Garong* and TANAKA Kazuhiko

Dr. Eusebio Z. Dizon or we commonly call him “Doc” or “Bong” started his career as an archaeologist in May 1977. He was then a Museum Research Assistant at the Anthropology Division, National Museum, Manila, Philippines. After which, he was promoted as Museum Researcher in 1979, then Senior Museum Researcher in 1989 and become a Museum Curator I in 1991. Later, he obtained a promotion by rank as Scientist III. He retired on 23 January 2020, which was actually the year for the humanity’s long journey on Covid-10 (SARS-CoV-2 virus). Though he was officially retired, he was still very active in the field and continuously doing lectures on different aspect of Philippine history through invitations to attend conferences or as a speaker. His involvement in Batanes Project with the Japanese archaeologists and volcanologists started in 2017, had given insightful information and deeper understanding on the impact of Mt. Iraya eruption on archaeological sites. His familiarity with the Batanes archaeological sites and its associated artifacts have provided remarkable information in deciphering the tephra deposit that covers the archaeological sites in the municipalities of Mahatao and Basco in the Batan Island as well as in Sabtang. The different layers of tephra deposits from Batan Island have been dated and a cultural layer was found in between 4,500 years ago (San Antonio tephra) and 2,000 years ago (Mahatao tephra). The sites excavated for this project have important connection in the understanding of the cultural transition from Neolithic Period towards the Metal Age.