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Angono Petroglyphs are oldest example of art in the Philippines. Angono Petroglyphs are situated in a cave not far from Kabayan, Rizal Province and date back to 6000 to 2000 BC. Archeologists discovered over 120 figures of humans, frogs, lizards and many other animals. However erosion and time erased some of the figures so it is hard to tell how many there were originally there. Ancient people probably used these symbols for religious practices and ceremonies. Numerous engravings cover rock face of 25 meters in length and 3.7 meters in height. Ancient Angono Petroglyphs were re- discovered in 1965 and in 1973 it was declared a National Cultural Treasure.
The petroglyphs of Angono are found in the
mountainous part of the municipality near the municipal boundary to
Antipolo City and Binangonan. They were carved into the tufa of the
mountain under a rocky outcrop that is 632 meters long, 4.68 meters
high and 8.2 meters deep. The petroglyphs cover the rock wall from a
length of 25 meters to a height of 3.70 meters. A total of 127
figures have been identified that have 51 different features.
According to the general view, they represent children and
adolescents. Similar style elements could also be found in
petroglyphs in Thailand, Sulawesi and Malaysia. The engravings were
made over a long period of time because the figures have no
connection features in their orientation and size. For the artists
and Neolithic viewers, they probably had spiritual meaning.
According to the results of the investigation by the National Museum
of the Philippines, the petroglyphs originated in the late Neolithic
period, around 3000 to 2000 BC. A faded rock painting could also be
discovered at a point on the rock wall.
Petroglyphs from Bontoc
The Bontoc petroglyphs were discovered in the area of the Alab
barangay. They were engraved by pecking into boulders, which are
located in prominent places in the Cordillera Central. The elements
were identified as female genitals and have typical features of the
representation from the Polynesian settlement area. Her age was
estimated to be 3,500 years or younger.
Rock paintings
There are rock paintings in three different locations in the
Philippines. These are the Peñablanca Caves in the north of Luzon
Island, the Singnapan Caves in the south of Palawan Island and on
the Anda Peninsula, Bohol Province. There are two different painting
techniques. While charcoal was used for drawing in Peñablanca and
the Singnapan caves, red iron-containing hematite was used on the
Anda Peninsula. An age determination of the rock paintings is still
pending.