Plant Microfossil Results from Old Kiyyangan Village: Looking for the Introduction and Expansion of Wet-field Rice (Oryza sativa) Cultivation in the Ifugao Rice Terraces, Philippine Cordilleras

A groundbreaking analysis of plant microfossils from Old Kiyyangan Village, Ifugao Province, reveals preliminary evidence for the introduction and expansion of wet-field rice (Oryza sativa) cultivation in the Philippine Cordilleras. Pollen, phytolith, and starch analyses of 12 sediment samples date human activity to approximately 810–750 cal. b.p., with the first rice remains appearing around 675 cal. b.p. A significant increase in these remains after 530–470 cal. b.p. suggests a late expansion of rice cultivation, corroborating previous studies. This study provides the initial sediment-derived ancient starch and phytolith evidence for Oryza sativa in the Philippines, offering new insights into the agricultural history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Horrocks, M., Acabado, S., & Peterson, J. (2018). Plant Microfossil Results from Old Kiyyangan Village: Looking for the Introduction and Expansion of Wet-field Rice (Oryza sativa) Cultivation in the Ifugao Rice Terraces, Philippine Cordilleras. Asian Perspectives, 57(1), 159–176. https://doi.org/10.1353/asi.2018.0005