The Intramuros Pot Shard was only one of the 500 artifacts discovered by the National Museum team at the San Ignacio Church Ruins in Intramuros, Manila. However, this archaeological piece was the most significant for one reason: It was the only artifact with ancient inscription recovered systematically.

Found 140 centimeters below the brick floor of the San Ignacio Church in 2008, the Intramuros Pot Shard shows the native Filipinos’ earliest form of writing. Its discovery was an important milestone in Philippine archaeology as there were only few artifacts with ancient inscription recovered in the past: the Laguna copper plate (900 AD), Butuan ivory seal (9th to 12th centuries), Butuan silver strip (14th to 15th centuries) and the Calatagan pot (15th century).[1]

The Intramuros Pot Shard was found associated with Ming dynasty ceramics dating back to 15th – 16th centuries A.D. The excavation was a joint project by the Intramuros Administration and the Cultural and Archaeology Divisions of the National Museum.[1]

As for the inscription, it was later deciphered by Mrs. Esperanza B. Gatbonton, a Cultural Heritage Advocate.

By comparing the scripts with tagalog and *kapampangan,*she came up with a tentative translation: *“pa-la-ki”*which can be interpreted as “a-la-ke” or *“alay kay.”

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