Plant Microfossil Results from Old Kiyyangan Village: Looking for the Introduction and Expansion of Wet-field Rice (Oryza sativa) Cultivation in the Ifugao Rice Terraces, Philippine Cordilleras

Abstract

Pollen, phytolith, and starch analyses were carried out on 12 samples from two trenches in Old Kiyyangan Village, Ifugao Province, providing evidence for human activity from ca. 810-750 cal. B.P. Seed phytoliths and endosperm starch of cf. rice (Oryza sativa), coincident with aquatic Potamogeton pollen and sponge spicule remains, provide preliminary evidence for wet-field cultivation of rice at the site. The first rice remains appear ca. 675 cal. B.P. in terrace sediments. There is a marked increase in these remains after ca. 530-470 cal. B.P., supporting previous studies suggesting late expansion of the cultivation of wet-field rice in this area. The study represents initial, sediment-derived, ancient starch evidence for O. sativa, and initial, sediment-derived, ancient phytolith evidence for this species in the Philippines.

Archaeology in the classroom: A perspective from Kiangan, Ifugao, Philippines | Arkiyoloji sa silid-aralan: Isang pananaw mula sa Kiangan, Ifugao

“…This paper has documented the process, purpose, and rationale behind the pilot project in Kiangan, Ifugao. Certainly, the modules will always need improvement as new archaeological information comes out of the OKV research or the school curriculum standards change (For current publications on Old Kiyyangan Village see Lapeña and Acabado 2017, Yakal 2017, Acabado 2018, Horrocks et al 2018and Acabado et al 2019. The English version of the archaeology modules have no copyright restrictions to discourage revisions, especially if new ideas could suggest ways to make the modules better for public consumption.…”

Older Is Not Necessarily Better: Decolonizing Ifugao History through the Archaeology of the Rice Terraces

“…The absence of wet-rice cultivation before the mid-17th century was corroborated by pollen, phytolith, and starch analyses performed on sherd residues from these trenches, further dismantling the theory of an ancient origin for rice agriculture in the region. Details on the microbotanical analyses from soils obtained in the OKV site are provided by Horrocks et al [34] report and Acabado's preliminary hypothesis [35,36].…”

Environmental History of an Early Spanish Settlement in the Visayas, Philippines: Excavations in the Parian District of Cebu City | Kasaysayang Pangkalikupan sa usa ka Karaang Puluy-anan Katsila sa Kabisay-an, Pilipinas: Mga Nakubkoban sa Distritong Parian, Lungsod sa Sugbu

“…Wild rice (possibly including other rice species) and wild taro cannot be ruled out, however. Detailed descriptions and photomicrography of Oryza sativa and Colocasia esculenta starch, and Colocasia esculenta epidermal tissue are given in the works of Seidemann (1966), Horrocks and Barber (2005), Horrocks and Weisler (2006) and Horrocks et al (2018). The identification of starch consistent with Oryza sativa and starch and leaf epidermis consistent with Colocasia esculenta from introduced or wild indigenous varieties could be significant ( Figure 15).…”