Page 149 - Vol_2_Archaeology of Manila Galleon Seaport Trade

120 N. T. Cuevas

the sudden appearance of large quantities of Fujian and Guandong wares in the
17th–18th century layers of the Porta Vaga excavation suggest that Porta Vaga was
suddenly thrust into a broader economic network than the previous !shing village
or town.

6.2.2 Intramuros

Intramuros was another area where archaeologists found abundant Fujian and some
Hizen ceramics. The walled city quartered the Spanish community from the late
16th to the late 19th century. Located on the mouth of the Pasig River, Intramuros
was a triangular wedge of land that curved outward, surrounded by a moat, and
measured about two and a half miles in circumference (Fig. 6.3).
As early as the 1960s, archaeologists of the National Museum extensively
studied Intramuros (Bautista 2001). Excavations in various sections of Intramuros
yielded archaeological materials that dated from the 15th century to the World
War II. They recovered massive amounts of trade wares, including 17th and 18th
century blue-and-white Chinese porcelain sherds. Dehua and Swatow kilns in
southern Fujian produced a signi!cant portion of these trade ceramics. Likewise,
intensive examination of these materials revealed the presence of Hizen wares. The
most substantial sites in Intramuros with Fujian and Hizen wares were the
Ayuntamiento and the Beaterio de la Compaña de Jesus.

Fig. 6.3 Satellite image of Manila showing locations of archaeological sites in Intramuros, Mehan
Garden, Arroceros Forest Park (Google map)