Seeing signs of ancient man in Palawan

Most of the evidence of early man in Palawan is within Tabon Caves.  Seven caves are open to the public. Van rides leaving from Puerto Princesa provide day trips.  See also Wikipedia page for Tabon Caves.    The caves, as well as the areas the three sphinx monuments were found, are under the control of the National Museum of the Philippines. The local museum office is in the town of Quezon.  Visitors must first check in at the museum before going to the dock area for a short ride by boat.  Note: The caves are guarded 24/7. Staff monitor visitors to ensure they do not damage the caves or take anything except pictures.  Depending on tide, a short walk in seawater is required.

Photo By Philip Maise 2014

The Sphinx of Coron is currently underwater.  Check with local Coron dive operators.  Notice: Dive operators will report any damage or diggings.  Private yacht owners may not anchor or dive from their own vessel at this location.

The Sphinx of El Nido is the most damaged of the three. It appears at a distance to be little more than boulders.  However, these boulders are actually man-made concrete and positioned exactly where expected.  They are at the tip of land at the entrance to the harbor. Maise identified this site in 2014.  Notice: Pictures are possible from tour boats. However, the point of land is private property and the owner will report any unauthorized visits.

The Great Sphinx of Palawan is a multiple day sea trip.  Private yacht owners must register any trip at Balabac Island, Quezon, or Puerto Princesa.  For site security, board one museum staff member.  For region security, board at least four Philippine Coast Guard Officers or Navy Officers.    Unless your vessel is large, carefully time your visit between monsoon seas since there is no protection. Good anchorage to 1/2nm to the North between monsoons and during Winter monsoon.  Summer monsoon season maintain off coast 10-20nm.  Budget return trips for officials if continuing onwards.  Do not anchor to South.  Notice: Fishermen in the area were provided smart phones to photograph any vessels in area and do not be surprised if they approach closely to take a picture. All suspected burial chambers were plundered long ago.  A large troop of monkeys live on the site, and while they have not attacked any researchers, they did attack and kill a boar during a trip in 2014.

Pyramid of Balabac: No sphinx has been located to date on Balabac Island.  However, there is a small pyramid at the entrance to the bay.  No one should attempt to visit or investigate this area until Filipino security forces have cleared the area.  In 2014, Maise discovered an active illegal gold digger had already dug down roughly 8 meters from the top.

Other areas: In 2015 Maise expanded his search for cave paintings to the North and South of Tabon Caves.  He found further evidence of gold diggers in several caves.  The owner of a property showed Maise a hole dug in a cave on his property in early 2015.

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