TUGUEGARAO CITY – Cagayan Museum petitioned to declare Callao Cave in Peñablanca town as “important cultural property of the Philippines†after excavating 13 fossil bones and teeth that represent an enigmatic previously unknown human species.
Researchers found out that one of the unearthed remains named Homo Luzonensis lived 67,000 years ago and the other 50,000 years ago.
According to Jennifer Baquiran, museum curator of Cagayan, the findings of Prof. Armand Mijares’ group is very significant because it may modify the evolution of man theory while Cagayan will be known as “best archeological site†in the world.
Baquiran said that Mijares is set to visit Cagayan next month in time of the Heritage Month Celebration.
Meanwhile, Baquiran admitted that only a replica of the metatarsal or the fossil of Callao man remained at Cagayan Museum because the actual fossil and artifacts unearthed were brought to the custody of National Museum in Manila for appropriate management.
However, Baquiran said that Mijares assured them of a Homo Luzonensis replica and even a copy of their research material.
Last 2003 when archaeologists started the excavation in Callao Cave and in 2007 discovered the first foot bone.
It was by 2011 that the researchers found teeth, hand bone, leg bone and another tooth was unearthed in the same cave after 4 years.
