Page 152 - Vol_2_Archaeology of Manila Galleon Seaport Trade

6 Fujian and Hizen Ware: A 17th Century Evidence of the Manila … 123

street, and the northwest by Calle Colgante (today Quezon Bridge). Blue-and-white
Chinese porcelain sherds manufactured in the kilns of Zhangzhou in Fujian were
found and dated from the late 16th to the mid-18th century. Associated with the
blue-and-white sherds was a small, intact white jar let from a Dehua Kiln (Fig. 6.6).
While, fragments of Hizen wares were identi!ed produced beteen 1660 and 1680 in
Hizen (Nogami 2006).
Both the Mehan Garden and the Arroceros Forest Park sites, utilized differently,
became historical landmarks in 17th century Manila. While Mehan Garden was a
residential settlement with some levels of craft production during the Parian period,
the Arroceros Forest Park site likely served as a wharf to load and unload com-
modities, given its proximity to the Pasig River.

6.2.3 Boljoon Parish Church Site, Boljoon, Cebu

The parish church archaeological site in Boljoon, Cebu revealed Fujian and Hizen
ceramics. The town is located at the southeastern coast of Cebu Island in the Central
Visayas. Approximately 100 km south of Cebu City, Boljoon is bordered by nar-
row coastal strips and high mountains (Fig. 6.7).
Archaeological excavations conducted on the grounds of the Patrocinio de Santa
Maria Parish Church in the small town of Boljoon yielded materials giving evi-
dence of a 17th-century burial ground (Bersales and de Leon 2011: 18). The burials
were associated with ceramic and earthenware vessels, iron tools, and metal
ornaments. These ceramics included a blue-and-white shallow porcelain dish with
an under glazed blue leaf design from a Fujian kiln dated to about the second half of
the 17th century (Fig. 6.8: Boljoon, Cebu). Found intact, this Fujian dish served as
a mortuary vessel or a grave offering that accompanied the deceased. This was

Fig. 6.6 Blanc de Chine
Porcelain Jar let, Dehua Kiln,
Fujian Arroceros Forest Park,
Manila 17th century