The Escalon Man
Glimpse of a Prehistoric Past
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The Escalon Man – Glimpse of a Prehistoric Past
The Escalon Man – Glimpse of a Prehistoric Past
2 August 2025 Feature | Surigao Historical Society | Local History
In the shadow of towering cliffs and the embrace of the Surigao Strait lies Bayagnan Island, a place both beautiful and quietly historic. It was here, among volcanic cinders and cave systems, that a Jesuit scientist-priest named Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, S.J. made one of the most intriguing discoveries in Mindanao's anthropological history: the skeletal remains now remembered as the Escalon Man.
This account, buried in the early pages of Surigao Across the Years by Dr. Fernando Almeda Jr. (Chapter 2: Bayagnan: Ashes from a Fiery Past), offers readers a haunting glimpse into what could be Surigao’s oldest known inhabitant. Though officially undated and lacking full academic study, the find has inspired generations of Surigaonons to wonder: Who were the first people to walk these lands?
The Discovery in Context
In April 1887, Fr. Sanchez, then a professor of sciences at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila—and former teacher of Jose Rizal—sailed to Surigao with a mission of inquiry. He was joined by Jose Florencio Quadras, an official from the Spanish central government, and their purpose was largely scientific: to examine Surigao’s rare flora, fauna, and geological activity.
Their base of operations became the island of Bayagnan, located near Surigao City. Geologists had long known this area to be of volcanic origin, formed by the same tectonic forces that created the Philippine Trench. Here, nature had written its history in lava, cinders, and ash.
But it was in the Escalon caves, nestled within Bayagnan’s dense foliage and stony formations, where the most provocative human evidence emerged. Among shards of earthenware and fossilized fauna, Fr. Sanchez's team encountered skeletal fragments—clearly human, buried in ways that suggested deliberate funerary practice.
There was no formal anthropological toolkit to analyze these remains then. Still, the implications were vast: these bones, buried deep in the island’s geological layers, pointed to a prehistoric presence, perhaps long before the arrival of the Austronesians or even the Negrito groups traditionally regarded as Mindanao’s first peoples.
The Significance of the Escalon Man
The name “Escalon Man” was later ascribed in reference to the site of discovery, but no academic consensus exists regarding the age or exact identity of the remains. Nevertheless, the Escalon Man occupies a powerful symbolic position in the cultural memory of Surigao.
Why? Because it challenges long-held narratives of Philippine prehistory. If the burial was intentional, what beliefs or rituals might these early people have held? If the artifacts suggest habitation, could Bayagnan have been a center of life—not just death—for early Surigaonons?
The site has never been fully excavated. Unlike the Tabon Cave in Palawan, which is internationally recognized and deeply studied, the Escalon site remains obscure. No carbon dating, no anthropometric analysis, and no further digs have been conducted—leaving both scholars and locals with more questions than answers.
Layers of Memory: Bayagnan’s Volcanic Landscape
The physical setting of the Escalon Man also adds layers of narrative. Bayagnan was shaped by violent geological upheavals. According to William Henry Scott, whose work is cited in the chapter, the island arose from tectonic shifts that formed the Philippine Trench. This violent history left a terrain rich in obsidian, tektites, and volcanic ash.
Indeed, later researchers—including Pratt and Lednicky—would return to Placer and nearby sites to collect tektites, glassy stones believed by some to be of cosmic origin but by others to be volcanic "bombs." Their findings corroborated what Fr. Sanchez may have suspected: that this land held not only ancient humans, but the remnants of a cataclysmic Earth.
Why the Silence?
So why has the Escalon Man not gained wider recognition? Part of it lies in logistical constraints. Funding for full archaeological investigations in Mindanao has historically lagged behind those in Luzon. Another issue is the lack of local academic infrastructure—Surigao has no resident archaeological team or dedicated lab for prehistoric studies.
Culturally, there may also be a fear of what such discoveries might disrupt. Indigenous narratives, sacred landscapes, and even colonial histories could be reshaped by solid proof of an older, undocumented civilization in Caraga.
And yet, the Escalon Man endures—not in museum glass or scientific journals, but in the oral lore, schoolbooks, and historical societies of Surigao. It is a mystery that continues to invite inquiry.
5 Questions to Spark Your Curiosity
What did Fr. Francisco Sanchez document about the burial practices he observed in the Escalon caves?
Are there similar cave sites elsewhere in Surigao or nearby provinces that suggest broader prehistoric settlement?
How do the volcanic features of Bayagnan help preserve (or hide) archaeological evidence?
What might the absence of further excavation reveal about national priorities in heritage preservation?
Could modern technology like LIDAR or ground-penetrating radar unlock the secrets still buried beneath Bayagnan?
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