Unearthing the Pinagbayanan Ruins of San Juan Batangas: From Archaeological Discovery to National Landmark

The Pinagbayanan Ruins in San Juan, Batangas, are the remains of the town’s original Spanish‑era settlement, where archaeologists uncovered stone houses, church foundations, and artifacts dating to the late 1800’s.

Recognized as a National Historical Landmark, the site is significant as the first systematic excavation of stone houses in the Philippines, offering rare insights into colonial town planning, elite domestic life, and the heritage roots of San Juan.

The ruins were brought to wider attention through systematic archaeological work in the late 2000’s. Excavations were directed by Dr. Grace Barretto‑Tesoro of the University of the Philippines, assisted by her students and colleagues.

Above is an AI reimagined photo of a Spanish-era town in the Philippines.

The project was supported by the National Museum of the Philippines and later by heritage groups such as Tuklas Pilipinas, which specializes in community‑based archaeology and heritage education¹.

The excavation followed the discipline of historical archaeology, which studies material remains from the more recent past in dialogue with written records. Trenches were carefully laid out, soil layers were documented, and artifacts were catalogued to reconstruct the life of the old town.

Sponsors and institutional backers ensured that the work was not only scientific but also geared toward heritage protection and public awareness².

Among the discoveries were two large stone‑based houses, built in the late 1800’s with stone foundations and brick walls. These were the first systematically excavated stone houses in the Philippines, showing how elite families in San Juan adapted Spanish colonial building codes known as the Laws of the Indies, a set of ordinances issued by the Spanish Crown to regulate town planning in its colonies³.

The team also uncovered the foundations of the old parish church, confirming that Pinagbayanan was once a fully organized pueblo under Spanish rule⁴.

Artifacts such as imported porcelain, local earthenware, and glass fragments revealed both trade connections and everyday life. Burial contexts associated with the churchyard reflected Catholic practice of interring the dead near the parish center, providing insights into health, mortality, and religious life in nineteenth‑century San Juan⁵.

For San Juan, the Pinagbayanan Ruins are a tangible link to its origins. They show that the town was once located inland, organized according to Spanish colonial town planning, before later relocation closer to the coast.

The ruins highlight the presence of a local elite who could afford stone houses, marking San Juan as more than a rural backwater. Excavations gave residents a clearer sense of their town’s layered history, and heritage programs have since used the site to foster local pride and education⁶.

For the Philippines, the Pinagbayanan Ruins matter for three reasons. They represent the first systematic excavation of stone houses in the country, setting a precedent for studying domestic architecture rather than just churches or forts⁷.

They demonstrate how the Laws of the Indies were applied in the Philippines, showing the reach of Spanish imperial planning across the Pacific. They also link archaeology with community engagement, proving that heritage work can empower local communities. This model has since been cited in heritage education across the country⁸.

For these reasons, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines has recognized the Pinagbayanan Ruins as a National Historical Landmark, ensuring their protection and affirming their place in the nation’s story.