Preliminary Classification of Beads and Other Ornamental Artifacts Recovered from the Latay Site in Borongan City, Eastern Samar, Philippines

Marvin D. Dorosan1*, Juan C. Rofes1,2, Emil Charles R. Robles1, Kristine Kate Lim1, Mark Lucio C. Cortado Jr.3

This research focuses on contextualising the archaeology and history of the Borongan area through beads and other ornamental artifacts excavated from the Latay site. The University of the Philippines Archaeological Field School 2024 in Borongan City resulted in the retrieval of various artifacts that justify the archaeological relevance of the site within the region and the country. Included among these are five beads and other ornamental artifacts. Although few in number, these artifacts may potentially contribute valuable information about the people who owned them and the society to which they are attributed. They may also indicate the kinds of relationships and networks the region maintained with adjacent areas and more distant regions. The artifacts were subjected to a modified typological analysis. Physical analysis investigated stylistic, formal, and technological characteristics of the artifacts. It was found that each of the specimens analysed was unique in several respects. It is recommended that these artifacts be analysed further, including chemical characterisation and comparative analysis.