💡 Trivia The Banaue Rice Terraces Are Said to Be 2,000 Years Old, but Researchers Disagree

The Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao are often described as being more than 2,000 years old, but that figure is actually disputed. Anthropologist Otley Beyer estimated that they date back over two millennia, while several researchers argue they were built much later. Either way, they were carved into the mountains at roughly 1,500 meters above sea level by the ancestors of the Igorot people, largely by hand with minimal equipment.

Some details worth knowing:

• The terraces are fed by an ancient irrigation system from the rainforests above, with retaining walls designed to draw water from a main canal above each terrace cluster.
• Rice and vegetables are still planted there, including heirloom rice varieties such as tinawon, nagacadan and julungan.
• UNESCO inscribed the "Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras", made up of five clusters: Nagacadan (Kiangan), Hungduan, central Mayoyao, Bangaan and Batad. Bangaan and Batad are in the municipality of Banaue.
• According to Wikipedia, the main Banaue terraces themselves were left out of the inscription because modern structures lowered their integrity score.

Actually, medyo common na marinig yung "2,000 years old" pero hindi pala ganoon kasimple ang usapin ng edad nila. Kahit ano pa man ang tamang petsa, napakalaking achievement pa rin nito ng mga ninuno natin, lalo na't gawa sa kamay at buhay pa rin hanggang ngayon.

Kayo, nakapunta na ba kayo sa Banaue, Batad o Sagada? Ano ang pinaka-memorable niyong experience?

Sources: Wikipedia, Banaue Rice Terraces You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. and UNESCO World Heritage Centre You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.