Boljoon, Cebu – Local townsfolk used to share stories about the town plaza as a burial ground during the Spanish era. The stories were not taken seriously, especially by the younger generation, until diggers recently discovered centuries-old skeletons near the Boljoon Church.

Diggers from the National Museum and the University of San Carlos socio-anthropological department explored the church plaza and discovered gold jewelry, antique jars and plates, and 39 centuries-old skeletons, proving claims of townsfolk that rich Cebuanos there during the 15th century.

“The town plaza could be a burial ground for affluent families in the 15th century based on the way the skeletons were dressed and with the jewelry and antique that surrounded them,” said Jojo Bersales, Cebu province’s consultant on heritage and museum affairs.

Bersales said the practice of including jewelry, jars, and other valuables in burial grounds dates back to the early 15 century, before the Spaniards arrived in Cebu.

Initial examination showed that the finds date back to 1490 up to 1610, said Bersales, who sent samples to the US for carbon dating.

Diggers were halfway through another burial when one of them found an egg-shaped, porcelain jewelry container placed near the skull of the buried skeleton. Excited at the find, Bersales said they immediately opened up the container and found a 1.1 meter pure gold necklace. But it seemed that the discovery have angered the spirits.

“As soon as we opened up the container and found the necklace, the sky suddenly darkened and heavy rain poured. It was very unusual because before we found the jewelry it was very hot and sunny,” said Bersales.

“We immediately killed chicken and offered it to the biggest tree we found near the burial grounds. It was part of a ritual that we oversaw. Good thing the rain stopped after we’ve made our offerings,” he said.

The diggings at the plaza started upon the request of the local government of Boljoon, a third-class, quiet municipality in southern Cebu. Bersales said town officials have been receiving reports that residents nearby have found skeletons during the construction of their houses.

The Provincial Capitol, in turn, tasked the group of Bersales to conduct the explorative digging last year. So far, the group has discovered at least 39 burials, all adorned with either jars, plates, and even gold jewelry.

“And that’s only for the 25 percent of the plaza that we have explored. There could be more if only our funds would allow us to go on with the diggings,” Bersales said.

When the Spaniards introduced Christianity in the country, the practice of placing jewelries in the body of the dead was prohibited, he added.