Continuing the Legacy: The Laguna de Bay Archaeology and the Search for the Land of Ma-yi

Timothy James Vitales

National Museum of the Philippines, Philippines; trvitales@gmail.com

Laguna de Bay, situated in Southern Luzon, is the largest lake in the Philippines and serves as a significant area for archaeological research. Since the 1920s, investigations around the lake have revealed the region’s rich archaeological record and deep historical significance. Noteworthy discoveries from the lakeshore include early Chinese ceramics, cremation burials, and a 10th century CE palaeograph, all of which indicate a complex socio-cultural organisation and active involvement in early maritime trade. Victor Paz maintained a longstanding interest in the lake region, particularly due to its potential links with Ma-yi (麻逸), an ancient polity frequently referenced in Chinese sources from the 10th century CE onward. This interest led to the establishment of the Ba’i Archaeological and Heritage Research Project in 2013, which sought to advance archaeological research and heritage advocacy in the area. Although the initial investigations produced significant findings, the project never followed through until his passing. Nevertheless, archaeological research around the lake persisted through the Laguna de Bay Archaeological Project, which I initiated under the National Museum of the Philippines. As a former student and supervisee of Victor Paz, his mentorship and ongoing intellectual exchange have profoundly influenced the direction of this project. In tribute to Victor Paz and his pioneering efforts, this paper presents recent archaeological work along the lakeshore, particularly the National Geographic Society-funded field project, as a continuation of his legacy.