movable heritage

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Study Notes

The Oton Gold Death Mask is a significant archaeological artifact from the Philippines
It reflects the rich cultural heritage and burial practices of ancient Filipinos
It provides insights into their social, cultural, and artistic life, particularly their beliefs about the afterlife
It's one of the few known gold burial masks in the country

The burying of the dead with face covers was an ancient burial practice in the Philippines
The early Bisayans believed the gold coverings protected the dead from evil spirits who wanted to occupy the dead body
The brightness of the gold was believed to drive away evil spirits

The town of Oton, Iloilo celebrates its Katagman Festival every May
High school students dress in colorful costumes, with their eyes and noses covered in gold-colored paper
Katagman was the pre-Hispanic name of San Antonio, Oton, where the first gold death mask was discovered in 1973
Located between the Iloilo and Batiano rivers, Oton was an important port settlement during the 1300s, playing a role in the flourishing maritime trade in the region

Discovered in a grave in San Antonio, Oton, Iloilo, alongside other ancient artifacts
Discovered on June 5, 1967, during systematic archaeological excavations
Led by NM anthropologists Alfredo Evangelista and F. Landa Jocano
The death mask was declared a National Cultural Treasure
Estimated to be from the late 14th to early 15th century
It has two parts: an eye cover (13.3 cm long, 2.5 cm wide), and a nose piece (16.3 cm long, 5.5 cm wide)
Weighs 13.09 grams

The Oton Death Mask is one of several gold masks found in pre-colonial graves
Most ancient gold artifacts in the country are associated with burial sites
The National Museum has three sets of gold death masks: Oton, Cebu City, and Butuan

Challenges: Preservation and Conservation, Limited Historical Interpretation, Public Awareness, Resource Constraints
Opportunities: Cultural Tourism and Promotion, Increased Research and Collaboration
Monetization: While direct commercialization isn't ideal, educational programs, museum tours, and exhibitions can generate income.
Exposure: Greater media exposure through documentaries, exhibitions, and collaborations with international museums could increase public interest
Strategies: Partnerships with academic institutions and digital archiving are key to preserving and promoting the mask and offering virtual museum experiences to expand global access.

The Oton gold death mask is a valuable cultural artifact and testament to the rich history and traditions of pre-colonial Philippine civilizations
It provides a glimpse into the complex spiritual beliefs and burial rituals of the ancient Visayans, as well as their advanced metalworking skills
The mask's discovery provides valuable insights into the social structure, trade, and cultural practices of early Philippine societies