Alfredo E. Evangelista
Encyclopedia
Alfredo E. Evangelista was a Filipino
archeologist.
in anthropology
in 1959 from the University of Chicago
under the Fulbright Program
. He joined the National Museum of the Philippines
following his graduation from Chicago.
Many of Evangelista's discoveries are regarded as some of the most important archeological finds in the country's history. His finds included the oldest known primary burial site in the Philippines
. The human remains found by Evangelista as the Duyong Cave on the island of Palawan
are approximately 5,580 years old.
Evangelista also uncovered the Laguna Copper Plate
, which is considered to be the earliest known legal document in the Philippines. Another of Evangelista's important finds was discovered inside of a some boat burial coffins excavated on Banton Island
. Two small pieces of cloth found inside of the coffins are regarded as the only known existing prehistoric cloth in the Philippines. The cloths has since been declared Filipino National Cultural Treasures.
He continued to head the Anthropology Division of the National Museum of the Philippines
until his retirement as its deputy director in 1989.
Alfredo E. Evangelista died at his home in San Pedro, Laguna
, on October 18, 2008, at the age of 82.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
archeologist.
Biography
Evangelista obtained his Master's degreeMaster's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
in 1959 from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
under the Fulbright Program
Fulbright Program
The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright-Hays Program, is a program of competitive, merit-based grants for international educational exchange for students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists and artists, founded by United States Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946. Under the...
. He joined the National Museum of the Philippines
National Museum of the Philippines
The Museum of the Filipino People is a department of the National Museum of the Philippines that houses the Anthropology and Archaeology Divisions of the National Museum. It is located in the Agrifina Circle, Rizal Park, Manila adjacent to the main National Museum building...
following his graduation from Chicago.
Many of Evangelista's discoveries are regarded as some of the most important archeological finds in the country's history. His finds included the oldest known primary burial site in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. The human remains found by Evangelista as the Duyong Cave on the island of Palawan
Palawan
Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region or Region 4. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the...
are approximately 5,580 years old.
Evangelista also uncovered the Laguna Copper Plate
Laguna Copperplate Inscription
The Laguna Copperplate Inscription is the earliest known written document found in the Philippines. The plate was found in 1989 by a sand laborer working on Lumbang River near the outlet to Laguna de Bay, in Barangay Wawa, Lumban, in the Laguna province.The inscription on the plate was first...
, which is considered to be the earliest known legal document in the Philippines. Another of Evangelista's important finds was discovered inside of a some boat burial coffins excavated on Banton Island
Banton Island
Banton Island is an island in the province of Romblon in the Philippines. It has one municipality named Banton.It is the most northerly island of the province; the surface is rugged except in the southeast; the soil is sterile and few crops are raised; the chief industry is the mining of gypsum....
. Two small pieces of cloth found inside of the coffins are regarded as the only known existing prehistoric cloth in the Philippines. The cloths has since been declared Filipino National Cultural Treasures.
He continued to head the Anthropology Division of the National Museum of the Philippines
National Museum of the Philippines
The Museum of the Filipino People is a department of the National Museum of the Philippines that houses the Anthropology and Archaeology Divisions of the National Museum. It is located in the Agrifina Circle, Rizal Park, Manila adjacent to the main National Museum building...
until his retirement as its deputy director in 1989.
Alfredo E. Evangelista died at his home in San Pedro, Laguna
San Pedro, Laguna
The City of San Pedro is a first class Municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. It is named after its patron saint, Saint Peter. San Pedro is Laguna's gateway to Metro Manila since it lies on the boundary with Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila's southernmost city...
, on October 18, 2008, at the age of 82.