BUTUAN CITY (MindaNews / 25 July 2026) — The Balangay, the pre-colonial wooden Butuan boats preserved as cultural treasures in museums, were showcased differently on Thursday, July 23, as the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP)-Butuan opened an active excavation site to the public through a learning visit titled “Archaeology in Action: A Learning Visit to the Butuan Boats Excavation Site.” Held at the Toyota Site near the Butuan Boats 4 and 9 in situ Conservation Site in Barangay Libertad, the activity aimed to deepen heritage awareness beyond museum displays.
The event, part of the NMP’s Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division (MUCHD) ongoing archaeological investigation, allowed participants to observe excavation processes firsthand. Museum researchers demonstrated field methodologies, and some attendees participated in wet sieving to recover small artifacts. The morning session included Libertad officials and local high school students, while the afternoon welcomed university students, educators, and heritage advocates.
Eunice Plaza, NMP-Butuan head, emphasized the rarity of such public access to archaeological work, noting that museum visitors typically see only finalized exhibits. Kimberly Cawaling, a tourism student, praised the experience for enriching her understanding of Butuan’s history.
MUCHD team leader Nero Austero explained that the site, first excavated in 2025 in search of Butuan Boat No. 3, revealed wooden planks now believed unrelated to that vessel. Recent findings suggest additional undiscovered boats. Rachel Anne Geline Ureta, a senior researcher, stated the project, institutionalized since 2024, will continue with annual investigations to explore reported boat sites.
This marked the second edition of the learning visit, following the inaugural event in August 2025. (Ivy Marie Mangadlao/MindaNews)
