Lal-lo and Gattaran Shell Middens facts for kids
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 Location in Philippines
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| Location | Cagayan River, Cagayan |
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| Coordinates | 18°12′05″N 121°39′50″E / 18.20139°N 121.66389°E |
| Type | Shell midden |
| History | |
| Material | Batissa childreni |
| Periods | Neolithic Period |
| Management | National Museum of the Philippines |
The Lal-lo and Gattaran Shell Middens are special places in the Philippines. They are huge piles of old shells left behind by people who lived there a very long time ago. These sites are found along the Cagayan River in Cagayan.
These shell piles are super important to archaeologists. They help us learn about what ancient people ate and how they lived. Some of these shell middens are as old as 2000 BC! That's over 4,000 years ago. Because they are so important, these sites are being considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means they could become a protected place that the whole world values.
Contents
Discovering Ancient Shell Piles
The Lal-lo and Gattaran Shell Middens are located about 500 kilometers (310 miles) northeast of Manila. Many different shell piles can be found in this area. Most of the shells come from a type of freshwater clam called Batissa childreni. These clams were a very important food source for the people living there long ago.
How Old Are These Shells?
The shell piles are of different sizes and ages. Scientists use a method called carbon dating to figure out how old things are. Using this method, they found that the oldest shell piles date back to 2000 BC. The newest ones are from around 100 AD. This shows that people lived and ate clams in this area for a very long time.
Where Are the Shell Piles Found?
You can find these shell middens on nearby hilltops. They are also right on the banks of the Cagayan River. The biggest piles of shells are in places called Magapit and Bangag, both in Lal-lo. The thickest shell midden is more than six feet deep! Imagine how many clams that is.
What Else Was Found?
Near many of these shell piles, archaeologists have found other interesting things. They discovered old stone tools that people used for daily tasks. They also found bones and teeth from animals, which tells us more about what people ate. Beautifully designed pottery has also been uncovered. These finds help us understand the ancient cultures of the Cagayan Valley.
Protecting the Sites
The Lal-lo and Gattaran Shell Middens are very important. Because of their historical value, these sites were added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. This happened on May 16, 2006. Being on this list means they are being considered for full World Heritage status. If they get this status, it will help protect them for future generations.
See also
- Magapit Protected Landscape
