Angono Petroglyphs

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Petroglyphs on a rock wall, Rizal, Philippines

The Angono Petroglyphs is the oldest known work of art in the Philippines. There are 127 human and animal figures engraved on the rockwall dating back to 3000 BC. These inscriptions clearly show stylized human figures, frogs and lizards along with other designs that may have depicted other interesting figures but erosion may have caused it to become indistinguishable.

Although it sits along the boundaries of Angono, Binangonan and Antipolo of the province of Rizal, this heritage site was discovered by the late National Artist of the Philippines awardee Carlos V. Francisco in 1965. Since then, some rock carvings have been damaged due to neglect and vandalism. In 1996, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 260, it was declared as a national cultural treasure by the Philippine government. During that time, a team led by the National Museum of the Philippines started archaeological site conservation and site development of the petroglyphs in which a mini-museum, viewdeck and stone path among others were constructed. Surveys and a seismographic recording were conducted to assess also the effects of a quarrying operation a few kilometers from the site.

The preservation and development of the Angono Petroglyphs is a collective effort of the National Museum of the Philippines, the Department of Tourism, World Monuments Fund, American Express and a Philippine real estate company.