Preliminary Results Of Archaeological Investigation In Cagsawa Ruins In Albay, Philippines: Sacred Spaces Archaeology

The Cagsawa Ruins is a popular name of the former Franciscan missionary complex which was demolished and rebuilt – particularly the church and convent – in 1724 by Fray Francisco Blanco, OFM, to make it bigger and stronger. The place was devastated by a violent volcanic eruption on 1 February 1814, when thousands of people in the nearby towns of Camalig, Daraga and Budiao were killed by pyroclastic flows and lahar. Since the 1814 eruption of Mount Mayon, the Cagsawa Ruins have been left undisturbed. No archaeological activities had been made in the area. The entire plan and blueprint of the Franciscan missionary complex remained unknown to many after the devastating eruption of Mayon. Some parts of the stone structures are still visible, while others are submerged. This paper will share the preliminary results of archaeological investigation at the Cagsawa Ruins.