Angono Petroglyphs: An Endangered Historical Site
Text and photo: Lino C. Soriano
THE World Monuments Watch (WMW) reported in 1996 that the Angono Petroglyphs - together with 99 other historical sites in the world - is threatened with irreparable damage. Part of the list include the Taj Majal, Agra India; Ancient Pompeii, Naples, Italy; Nero’s Palace, Domus Aurea, Rome, Italy; Old City, Harbon Dubrovnik, Croatia; Ancient Tyre, Tyre, Lebanon; and Namseling Manor, Crachi, Tibet, China.
Actually, the Angono Petroglyphs is not found in Angono, Rizal but in Binangonan. In 1965 it was accidentally discovered by national artist Carlos ‘Botong’ Francisco who gave the amazing ancient carvings that name.
The 127 figures carved by our prehistoric ancestors – which were probably done during the Neolithic Period - were made with the use of crude stone tools long before the use of metals. These are located on a shallow cave and adobe wall within the 18-hole Eastridge Golf and Residential Estates.
WMW reported that these 127 ancient carvings are of prehistoric origin and estimated to have been carved 3,000 years B.C.
In 1973, Angono Petroglyphs were declared National Cultural Treasure, and in 1985 were listed on the World Inventory of Rock Art.
In 1994, the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), the International Committee on Monuments and Sites and the National Museum validated the site and announced it was one of the oldest in the Asia-Pacific Region.
More than 30 years after its discovery, the dense forest around the petroglyphs was cleared to give way for development, exposing the precious works of art to the sun, dirt and other destructive elements.
A decade later, many parts of the stone carvings were vandalized, altered or destroyed. Ignorance and lack of concern have inflicted severe damage to this priceless cultural treasure.
In 1997, the Angono Petroglyphs caves were cleared of destructive vegetation and a drainage system was constructed to prevent accumulation of water during heavy rain.
In the lates 90s, a concerned group from Binangonan appealed to the national government to change its name. They asserted the site has been known as ‘Matandang Yungib’ since time immemorial. However, saving the petrogplyhs from further degradation should be the foremost concern of the government instead of changing its name.
To prevent vandalism, a caretaker was assigned to maintain the site.
Knowing its immeasurable value, the government, NGOs, and the people of Binangonan should immediately create a plan of action to save the Angono Petroglyphs from further natural and man-made degradation and preserve it for future generations.
.10 January 2015
.10 January 2015