Analysis of Macrobotanical Remains from Sohoton I, Basey, Samar

Jhunessa L. Ignacio1*, Emil Robles1, Juan C. Rofes1,2, and Janine Ochoa1

Macrobotanical remains are essential archaeological evidence for investigating the nature of human-environment relationships across time. These are used to understand human diets and plant utilization, and to examine environmental changes that could have affected human activities in the past. Despite their importance, the recovery and analysis of macrobotanical remains have been relatively limited in Southeast Asian settings. In the Philippines, archaeobotanical studies have been pioneered and actively promoted by Dr Victor Paz. With his guidance, archaeobotanical studies were conducted in the country, but most of these researches were concentrated in Luzon. For this study, macrobotanical recovery and analysis will be conducted in Sohoton I, Basey, Samar. Sohoton I was first identified in 1968 by a team led by Karl Hutterer characterized by abundant marine shells and earthenware sherds. A systematic excavation was conducted in 1971, and reports about ceramics, lithics, and shells were provided. However, no archaeobotanical analysis was done. Since then, a new programme of archaeological research in Sohoton I has been initiated under the Dinagat Corridor Project. This study aims to contribute to our understanding of Samar Archaeology through the analysis of macrobotanical remains, serving as the first systematic application of macrobotanical recovery and analysis in the area. It will serve as baseline information for future research and understanding past human-environment interactions. The research will also investigate possible environmental changes through time indicated by the presence of specific plant remains. Lastly, this study aims to contribute to the limited archaeobotanical studies in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia.