with merchants carrying goods and services traded with the locals for their products. Since Laguna de Bay is connected to the Manila Bay, the geographical area covered by the trade before was wide. The items retrieved from the area were of very good quality and expensive looking. This indicates that the people that once lived in Pila were wealthy. Cremation activities Professor Henry Otley Beyer pointed out that cremation was once practiced in Novaliches. In Pila's case, the team members found traces of cremation practice in the site. In their data, 40% of the cremated remains were found to be buried in soil and the remaining 60% were found in medium-sized jars. In Pinagbayanan, the cremation burials were secondary burials. In the first phase, the body is let alone to decompose. It is then followed by a ritual performance. The body is burned because, according to the belief of ancient people, the “spirit is as clean as though washed in gold" once the body is set on fire. Stratigraphy of the Pinagbayanan Excavation Six major layers: Thin humus level of light brown soil, banana trees and young coconut trees are planted Compact, fine-grained, gray-brown, 10 cm thickness. No cultural materials found in this layer. Soft black loam rich with organic material, 15–20 cm below the surface. Sherds were also found here. Also, cremation burials and postholes were found, that is why it is thought of that this area was home for the ancient people and burial site. Animal remains of pigs and horses were recovered. A C14 date of 1375+-25 bp was obtained on a ceremonial burial. Medium-grained, reddish-brown, and sandy clay found in here shows that it is a burial ground. The fourth level is 85 centimeters. Compact, fine-grained, and sandy clay. Dated as part of the Iron Age. Water table and stable natural soil. References External links [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code] Philippine Census Information Local Governance Performance Management System Municipalities of Laguna (province) Populated places on Laguna de Bay