M. Horrocks, J. Peterson, S.H. Bickler, B. Presswell
Presented here are updated results of plant microfossil and 14C analyses of samples from the Ifugao Rice Terraces (Old Kiyyangan Village), augmented by helminthology. The first definitive Philippine report of taro (Colocasia esculenta) remains (starch material), and further discoveries of rice (Oryza sativa) remains (starch and phytoliths) suggest establishment of their highland cultivation to at least 810-750 cal B.P. For the latter, this is around a century more than previously 14C dated for the Cordilleras. While results support the contention of post-Hispanic expansion of terrace rice cultivation, they do not support post-Hispanic establishment of rice cultivation per se. Several types of helminth eggs that would have adversely affected people and their domesticated and commensal animals were also identified: Ascaris lumbricoides, Hymenolepis diminuta, Taenia sp., and Toxocara canis. The results represent the first early Philippine identification of the latter. © 2025 by University of Hawai'i Press. All rights reserved.
Microfossil Research Ltd, 31 Mont Le Grand Rd, Mt Eden, Auckland, 1024, New Zealand; School of Environment, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; University of San Carlos, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines; Bickler Consultants Ltd, 2/623 Manukau Rd, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand; School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand; Evolutionary and Ecological Parasitology, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
