Geology and Paleontology – National Museum

GEOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY

Upon the National Museum’s establishment in 1901, the Geology and Paleontology Division is one of the first disciplines of the National Museum, along with other natural sciences like botany, entomology, ichthyology, herpetology and mammalogy. However, it was only in 1947, during the National Museum’s re-creation, when it was officially considered as a separate division by virtue of Executive Order No. 094. It was named Geology-Paleontology Division with Mr. Inocentes Paniza as its first chief geologist. It had three sections namely: Structural Geology, Dynamic Geology, and Paleontology.

The division’s initial goal was to rehabilitate its collection after the devastating war. The collection was augmented through extensive field expeditions and through donations, exchanges, and purchases from other organizations and museums. The Bureau of Mines provided most of the donated specimens at that time. Apart from collection build-up, the division continued its research studies with focus on mapping Pleistocene sediment deposits. This is in support of the museum’s project in discovering the earliest human fossils in the Philippines.

When fossils of elephants and rhinoceros were discovered in the 1950s, research activities of the division focused on mammalian fossil localities such as the Cabarruyan Island in Pangasinan and in Kalinga-Apayao. Eventually, more research areas were added such as the Tabon Cave in Palawan, and the provinces of Iloilo and Cagayan. These field expeditions yielded more than 150 mammalian fossils associated with man-made flake tools bringing credence to the theory of Philippine prehistory dating as far back as 500,000 years ago.

During the 1970s, when the country was placed under martial law, the division name was changed to Geology Division. Ushering this change is the introduction of its new sections: the Geological Survey Section, Petrology and Mineralogy Section, and the Paleontology Section. Since then, these sections have set the objectives of the division’s research and exhibitions for the following years. The division conducted various studies such as palynology of sediments from Quezon, Palawan; zooplankton research in Aklan, and geologic survey of several provinces for the reference collection. In 1991, when Mt. Pinatubo erupted, the Geology Division spearheaded an exhibition at the Old Congress Building where photographs of Mt. Pinatubo before, during, and after the eruption were displayed. Following the public’s interest in volcanoes, a luggage-type exhibition featuring the different rocks and minerals of the country was set-up in Cagsawa Branch Museum in Bicol.

As the explorations and researches revealed significant results, the division earned recognition and respect from fellow earth science researchers. The division was invited to be part of the National Committee on Geological Sciences (NCGS). This committee is responsible, among others, for the declaration of national geologic monuments such as the Sand Dunes of Ilocos Norte, the Hundred Islands of Pangasinan, and the Chocolate Hills of Bohol.

To better bring the museum experience closer to its audience, the Geology Division launched in 2000 its Travelling Exhibition project. Nine luggage-type portable exhibition cases feature geological specimens and the tectonic history of the country. These exhibits were meant to be brought to several elementary schools around the country, especially those far from the National Museum and its regional museums. The travelling exhibit aims to supplement the classroom activities of the students. The project was such a success that in 2003, more portable exhibit cases were made, with economic geology, and historical geology added to the exhibition topics. The travelling exhibits reached schools as far as Negros Occidental.

Research activity of the division has also advanced as it focused on a more interdisciplinary approach. Apart from collaborating mainly with archaeology, the division partnered with the Cultural Properties Division, the Anthropology Division, and to the natural history group like Botany Division and Zoology Division.

The division was officially called the Geology and Paleontology Division following the National Museum’s major re-organization in 2016. The following years were devoted to collecting exhibition-quality specimens as the natural history group prepared to open the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH). The NMNH was officially opened in 2018 where three main galleries highlight the geologic wonders of the country.

At present, the division is focused in (1) developing new and engaging exhibitions for the NM’s regional museums, (2) modernizing and upgrading its storage facilities and laboratories to international standards, and (3) enhancing its current programs for the public.

FEATURED COLLECTIONS

IGNEOUS ROCKS

Igneous rocks form from the cooling and solidifying of molten rock, either deep inside the Earth (magma) or on its surface (lava). Wide varieties of igneous rocks are formed by how quickly or slowly the magma cools, and the different chemical compositions of the original magma. About 35% of the rock collection consists of various igneous rocks, ranging from million years old mantle rocks to products of contemporary and historical volcanic eruptions

SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

Sedimentary rocks are formed by the accumulation of sediments – rock fragments, minerals, or even animal or plant remains. Some form when these sediments settle in layers on the bottom of lakes or oceans, and over time, build up and slowly compacted into rocks. Others form when minerals precipitate from water, like stalagmites and stalactites in caves. Fossils are often found in sedimentary rock. Sedimentary rocks comprise about 50% of the rock collection. Some of oldest formed in the Jurassic seas.

METAMORPHIC ROCKS

Metamorphic rocks are once igneous, sedimentary, or even metamorphic rocks which transform under high heat, pressure, or hot mineral-rich fluids. This process, known as metamorphism, often happens deep inside the Earth, and makes the rock denser and more compact. It also causes the minerals that compose the rock to re-form into new minerals. Metamorphic rocks typically form the oldest rock layers in the Philippines like the marbles (metamorphosed limestone) of Aklan and Romblon.

METALLIC MINERALS

The mineral collection of the Geology and Paleontology Division includes both locally collected and foreign acquired specimens. It consists of both the most common and the rare forms of minerals found in the country. Part of the collection are metallic minerals or those that contain one or more metal elements.

NON-METALLIC MINERALS

Minerals that do not contain any metal elements are classified as non-metallic minerals. As such, they do not have the shiny metallic luster exhibiting instead a glassy, pearly or silky appearance. Although they do not conduct heat and electricity well like their metallic counterparts, they have equal economic importance.

SALDIVAR-SALI COLLECTION

As his gift to the nation, renowned geologist Dr. Arthur Saldivar-Sali donated specimens and artifacts representative of the discovery of the first offshore well in the Philippines. The discovery motivated the development of indigenous energy sources that are now powering the nation. These gifts are part of the Mineral and Energy Resources Gallery of the NMNH.

TYPE SPECIMENS

In the taxonomy of plants and animals, certain specimens are often selected and formally categorized as the type specimens. These specimens bear the defining characteristics by which the organism was classified and identified scientifically. The National Museum of the Philippines is the official custodian of all holotype specimens of flora, fauna, and fossils collections.

EXTINCT FAUNA

Large prehistoric animals used to roam around the Philippines whether on land or at sea. Due to varying reasons, these animals were led to extinction. Some of these animals are known only through the fossils they left behind.

FOSSIL FAUNA

Animals are preserved in the fossil record either through their hard parts, a casting of their body, or the trace of their movement. They vary in size too. Ranging from the microscopic to the gigantic organisms. Animal fossils give us a glimpse of how life was like from hundreds to even millions of years ago.

FOSSIL FLORA

Although much more delicate compared to animal teeth, shells, and bones, the National Paleontological Collection includes quite a selection of plant fossils. The most common form of plant fossils in the national collection are the petrified wood. Plant fossils in the form of leaves or twigs imprints, or even the preserved seeds are also part of the collection.

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National Museum of the Philippines

A trust of the Government, is an educational, scientific and cultural institution that acquires, documents, preserves, exhibits, and fosters scholarly study and public appreciation of works of art, specimens, and cultural and historical artifacts representative of the unique cultural heritage of the Filipino people and the natural history of the Philippines.

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P. Burgos Drive, Rizal Park, Manila
inquiry@nationalmuseum.gov.ph
(+632) 8298-1100

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