Obsidian Sourcing at Uliland Bundok Site and its Implications for Mobility, Exchange, and Social Contexts in the Philippine Metal Age

This article discusses the results of chemical analysis to trace the source of the obsidian artifacts from the site of Ulilang Bundok in Batangas, Philippines. The obsidian artifacts used in this study were excavated from the site of Ulilang Bundok while samples of obsidian were also collected from known obsidian sources in Nagcarlan, Batangas, and Pagudpod, Ilocos Norte, for comparative purposes. Chemical analyses of the obsidian artifacts and source samples were carried out on a scanning electron microscope using the energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer at the University of Science Malaysia, Penang and the electron microprobe at the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Multi-elemental analysis and statistical procedures performed on elemental data obtained from the obsidian artifacts and sources provided strong indications that the obsidian artifacts from Ulilang Bundok were made using obsidian obtained from the Nagcarlan source. The chemical sourcing results are significant in that they suggest that obsidian was a limited and valued raw material that was likely mined and traded through expanding social exchange networks. This has further implications for understanding how the complexity and spatial extent of trade reflects emerging social complexity in the Philippines Metal Age

A Possible Palaeolithic Site in Northern Mindanao

Five possible Palaeolithic stone tools were recovered from the Huluga Open Site when the Archaeological Studies Program (ASP) conducted an archaeological survey and excavation in the last quarter of 2004 in Cagayan de Oro City. A preliminary analysis was conducted based on reference and morphology of the archaeological materials. Further scientific study and a thorough archaeological exploration at the site may reveal the antiquity of the Huluga Open Site in particular and Mindanao in general. &nbsp

A Report on the Archaeological Survey Along the Coastal Area of Misamis Oriental, Philippines

This article is the result of the initial archaeological reconnaissance conducted along the coast of Misamis Oriental in the island of Mindanao, Philippines. The team was able to identify possible archaeological sites based on the presence of artefacts and stone ruins. Based on the conventional and prevailing way of archaeological identification in the Philippines, these identified sites are classified as open sites, cave sites, and historical sites. Foreign ceramics were used to establish the relative dates of the archaeological sites in the different municipalities in Misamis Oriental. Forty-one archaeological sites were identified along the coast of Misamis Oriental: 25 open sites, 12 historical sites, and 4 cave sites. This initial archaeological investigation will help generate information on the history of the area and may serve as significant reference for future archaeological research in Mindanao. Editor’s note: Earlier versions of the different sections of this paper came out in various publications (Neri and Ragragio 2008; Neri et al. 2008, 2009, 2010a, 2010b). The current format consolidates all the archaeological explorations conducted in Northern Misamis Oriental by the author.&nbsp

2004 Archaeology at Cagayan de Oro City

Cagayan de Oro City was the subject of archaeological explorations and excavations last October 2004. A team from the UP Archaeological Studies Program, in cooperation with the National Museum and supported by the Cagayan de Oro Historical and Cultural Commission, endeavored to expand what is currently known about the city's history through archaeology. This paper reports the findings of the team: that the Huluga Open Site was unlikely an extensive permanent settlement and more probably a habitation site, the presence of Paleolithic stone tools in the area was confirmed, and a jar burial site in a rockshelter was identified

Low Baseline Interleukin-17A Levels Are Associated with Better Treatment Response at 12 Weeks to Tocilizumab Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

T helper 17-related cytokines have been implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis. The study aimed to identify cytokines associated with the treatment response of RA patients to tocilizumab (TCZ), a humanized monoclonal antibody against the interleukin- (IL-) 6 receptor. As an independent substudy of the 24-week, randomized, double-blinded CWP-TCZ301 trial of TCZ in RA patients with an inadequate response to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, serum levels of cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-17A, IL-21, IL-23, IL-6, and soluble IL-6 receptor were measured. Baseline IL-17A levels were significantly lower in RA patients who achieved disease activity score 28 (DAS28) remission at 12 weeks of TCZ treatment, compared to patients not in remission. Patients were stratified into IL-17A low group and IL-17A high group. Significantly more patients in the IL-17A low group achieved remission as compared to the IL-17A high group (47.6 versus 17.4%, P=0.032). DAS28 improvement was significantly better in the IL-17A low group than in the IL-17A high group at 12 weeks (P=0.045) and 24 weeks (P=0.046) after adjustment. Other baseline cytokines were not associated with treatment response to TCZ. The data demonstrate that low baseline IL-17A levels are associated with better clinical response to TCZ treatment in RA patients

Data for: Numerical and experimental investigation of Glow Discharge Cleaning on SSRF beamline

Data for numerical and experimental investigation of Glow Discharge Cleaning on SSRF beamlin

Data for: Numerical and experimental investigation of Glow Discharge Cleaning on SSRF beamline

Data for numerical and experimental investigation of Glow Discharge Cleaning on SSRF beamlin

Obsidian Sourcing and Characterization in the Celebes Region: An Initial Interpretation on the “Celebes Seafaring People”

The peopling of Island Southeast Asia is told through the Austronesian migration theory. During the Neolithic Period (ca. 6000–5000 BP), the Austronesians entered the Philippines altering the cultural landscape and heralding the beginning of the Neolithic. The Austronesian people continued expanding through Island Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and as far as Madagascar. It is the most influential multiregional archaeological theory in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Region. Although archaeologists, as a whole, generally support this theory, the operations governing the Austronesian migration is still subject to intense debate. Theories suggest that migration is not as straightforward as commonly presented. In spite of their movement towards the Pacific, some Austronesian population stayed in the Celebes area and may have developed a close-knit exchange system with their neighbors powered by sophisticated ancient maritime technology and shared cultural affiliations. This paper calls this maritime network as the “Celebes Seafaring People.” The “Celebes Seafaring People” hypothesis is the first study to focus on a smaller aspect of a much larger theory, allowing a clearer perspective on the early cultures of this Region. Currently, the hypothesis encompasses three island groups: Northern Mindanao, Philippines; Sabah, Malaysia; and Talaud Islands, Indonesia. This is an initial interpretation of the “Celebes Seafaring People” hypothesis through geochemical analysis of obsidian found in the island groups in the Celebes Region. These group of people may have a complex maritime exchange network and share the same cultural affiliation during the Neolithic Period. Further investigation must done to substantiate such theoretical interpretation

[Special section on volcanic glass] PHILIPPINE OBSIDIAN AND ITS ARCHAEOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS

Obsidian sourcing has been used in Philippine archaeology for the first time. This paper discusses the potential of this new approach for studying the mobility patterns and exchange networks of early Filipinos. Currently, two obsidian sources have been identified in the Philippines. The Nagcarlan and Pagudpod sources are both located on the island of Luzon. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) was used to obtain a chemical signature of these sources and to link obsidian artefacts recovered at three archaeological sites to their geological source. The results provide evidence for long distance movement of obsidian in the past. A review of all known obsidian artefacts recovered from archaeological sites in the different islands and provinces of the Philippines provides essential background for further studies of obsidian movement and exchange