From the Site to the Museum : Archaeologically Excavated Butuan Boat Remains Displayed in the National Museum of the Philippines＜Special Theme : Material Cultural Studies on Boats and Fishing Tools Based on the Museum Collections and Fieldwork＞

As part of its extensive mandate, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) carries out archaeological field research on land and underwater in addition to overseeing a network of museums throughout the Philippines. Among its most significant projects are its archaeological studies of Butuan boats starting in the 1970s, which have since been declared National Cultural Treasures. The remains of three of the boats have been recovered. They are presently on exhibition or in storage in Butuan and Manila. With at least two other Butuan boats that might yet be fully excavated and recovered, this paper recounts earlier actions related to their documentation, recovery, conservation, and exhibition, which might properly inform future measures.