Kros Rockshelter: A jar burial site in Northern Mindanao

Abstract

While several archaeological explorations have been conducted in Northern Mindanao since the 1960's, and several sites from the Neolithic to Contact Age have been identified, no definite jar burial sites have been identified. The Kros Rockshelter in Cagayan de Oro City showed potential as a jar burial site when it was first reported in 1992. A team from the Archaeological Studies Program returned in 2004 and took this opportunity to return to the site to conduct further studies. Unfortunately, the site has since been disturbed, and further excavation was impossible due to the geological characteristics of the rockshelter. The team was, however, able to collect a substantial amount of potsherds and skeletal material for analysis. Based on the potsherds present, it can be inferred from this assemblage that Kros Rockshelter indeed once contained burial jars, as well as votive jarlets. Kros Rockshelter may very well represent the first jar burial site to be documented in North Mindanao.