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Although
the fertile soil in the area is
attributed to the seasonal
floods, the settlement were
still forced to move this time
to higher ground called Agao,
the present location of the city
proper.
Dubbed as the Land of Antiquated
Finds, the city was a
flourishing settlement and trade
center.
Archeological
explorations in the area
unearthed evidence of a thriving
city by the river of Agusan.
Named the city of
Balanghai, antiques, ceramics
and terra cotta wares were
discovered along with a number
of balanghais.
A balanghai is an early
wooden boat and the discovery of
some nine (9) such boats in the
city confirmed a thriving
society as early as the 4th
century.
By the arrival of the
Spaniards in the 16th
century, trade relations at
least within the neighboring
islands and as far as Borneo was
already established as evidenced
by ceramics dug up in the city
dated as early as the 10th
century, well before the arrival
of the Spaniards.
The
city is also part of an ongoing
debate about the true location
of the first mass held in the
country.
History has pegged it in
Limawasa, Leyte but some
scholars say that it may have
been in Masao in Butuan City.
Whether or not this is
true, Ferdinand Magellan did lay
anchor by the mouth of the
Agusan River in 1521 and
celebrated mass to commemorate
the event.
Butuan
city has also attracted its
share of tourists.
The city’s rich history
has drawn the curios and the
history buffs alike.
The Butuan National
Museum was established to
highlight the cultural and
historical artifacts unearthed
in the city that proves its
prehistoric existence and
opulent cultural heritage.
Five kilometers from the
city proper stands the Balangay
Shrine Museum.
A graveyard wherein lies
Balangay 1, the wooden boat that
is dated 320 A.D.
Eight other such boats
have been discovered to date and
affirm the importance of the
Agusan River to the people –
trade, agriculture and even
religion has been attributed to
the mighty river.
As
the History Haven of Caraga,
Butuan City has put an indelible
mark on Philippine History and
has continued to enrich our
culture and sense of self.
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