25/10/2024
๐๐๐๐ | ๐๐ซ. ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐'๐ฌ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐
๐๐ ๐๐ข๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐๐ซ
The FEU Department of Biological Science held its 2nd seminar under the series of โBiology Ins & Outs SystemaTALKSโ, featuring Doctor Pauline Basilla, a research fellow, as the speaker. The seminar tackled the Philippine Pleistocene Epoch, specifically focusing on the Kalinga Discovery to the end of the Ice Age. The seminar was held at Arts Building 404 and took place last Monday, October 21.
The lecture details a time when the country was home to animals like elephants and tigers, animals they usually associate with Africa or India. Among the major discoveries are fossils of megafauna, including elephants, tigers, and a unique type of pig with four tusks. These animals roamed the Philippines during the Ice Age, a time marked by glacial cycles and changing climates. While northern areas were covered by ice, places near the equator like the Philippines experienced lower sea levels, which affected migration and survival of species.
One of the most impressive finds was a nearly complete rhino skeleton with signs of butchering. This not only shows how humans have existed and interacted with these large animals but also provides discernment into the composite ecosystems of that time. "This is evidence of human activity, since we donโt have human bones that old in the Philippines." Mrs. Cruz suggests that the butchering marks show that early humans were more skilled than we initially thought, proving they could adapt to their surroundings and use the resources available.
Interestingly, thereโs no evidence of dinosaurs ever living in the Philippines. Instead, the countryโs prehistoric history is shaped by the presence of these large mammals and how humans interacted with them which shows a vivid picture of what life might have been like during the Pleistocene Epoch.
These discoveries in Kalinga have broader implications for Southeast Asia as well which influenced researchers to rethink how early humans adapted to different environments. The discovery of other ancient human species, like Homo luzonensis, adds more to this picture by suggesting that isolated populations evolved unique traits, like island dwarfism.
To increase our knowledge of this epoch, experts call for more excavations and collaborations between scientists and local communities. Itโs tough to find new sites, but with better funding and public interest, people can learn more about our prehistoric roots. Museums and education also play a big role in helping the public understand and connect with these discoveries. Before ending, Mrs. Cruz encouraged students to take an interest in paleontology and prehistoric studies. She suggested visiting museums and learning more about our countryโs ancient past. "Thereโs still so much left to discover," she said, hinting that future excavations could reveal even more about the Philippinesโ early inhabitants.
The discoveries in Kalinga open up a new chapter in the history of early humans in the Philippines, revealing just how great and rich our prehistoric past is. As more research opens out, we see how our ancestorsโ survival and adaptation molded the world we live in today.
Written By: Samantha Sagun
