Latest findings from Prehistoric Cemetery Borneo (Sarawak)
From：Chinese Archaeology NetWriter：Date：2008-09-19
In a press conference 18th Sep, Universiti Sains Malaysia
archaeologists announced their latest finding from the prehistoric cemetery
recently discovered in Sarawak, Malaysia.
The research team from the Centre For Archaeological Research Malaysia,
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang and the Sarawak Museum Department
headed by Associate Professor Stephen Chia and Mr. Ipoi Datan discovered
the ancient burial site at Gua Kain Hitam in the Niah-Subis limestone
hills in Batu Niah, Miri, Sarawak. This is the area where the oldest
human remains in Southeast Asia were found, thus confirming that Borneo
was settled much earlier than originally thought.
The research and excavations at this site, funded by Jabatan Warisan
Negara in 2007 and the USM Research University Grant in 2008, has so far
uncovered more than 8 human skeletons, believed to be from the
Neolithic period, dating back 2,000-3,000 years ago. This proves the existence
of humans in the area from the Neolithic period and may have some
relation to the oldest remains found in another nearby cave (Gua Niah),
which is 40 000 years old. The latter was found in the 1950s and confirmed
that Borneo was settled earlier than thought (see background text
below).
Latest results reveal that the skeletons were found in extended
positions together with pottery sherds, shells and animal bones. Preliminary
analysis of the skeletons revealed that there are five males and one
female, with generally very short stature of heights of between 156cm and
160cm. The age of the four males is estimated to be between 25-45 years
old and the female between 35-45 years old.
Research on this ancient cemetery site is still on going and the
excavated artifacts such as pottery, ornaments and food remains like shells
and animal bones are being analysed at Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Research collaboration with a palaeanthropologist from Sapporo Medical
University, Hokkaido, Japan is also currently underway in order to extract
more information about the burials and the ancient people who lived in
the Niah-Subis region 2,000 to 3,000 years ago.
This new finding will not only enrich knowledge on the early history of
Malaysia and Southeast Asia but it is also expected to attract more
local and foreign tourists to visit this new site, which is located in
the Niah National Park in Miri, Sarawak.
archaeologists announced their latest finding from the prehistoric cemetery
recently discovered in Sarawak, Malaysia.
The research team from the Centre For Archaeological Research Malaysia,
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang and the Sarawak Museum Department
headed by Associate Professor Stephen Chia and Mr. Ipoi Datan discovered
the ancient burial site at Gua Kain Hitam in the Niah-Subis limestone
hills in Batu Niah, Miri, Sarawak. This is the area where the oldest
human remains in Southeast Asia were found, thus confirming that Borneo
was settled much earlier than originally thought.
The research and excavations at this site, funded by Jabatan Warisan
Negara in 2007 and the USM Research University Grant in 2008, has so far
uncovered more than 8 human skeletons, believed to be from the
Neolithic period, dating back 2,000-3,000 years ago. This proves the existence
of humans in the area from the Neolithic period and may have some
relation to the oldest remains found in another nearby cave (Gua Niah),
which is 40 000 years old. The latter was found in the 1950s and confirmed
that Borneo was settled earlier than thought (see background text
below).
Latest results reveal that the skeletons were found in extended
positions together with pottery sherds, shells and animal bones. Preliminary
analysis of the skeletons revealed that there are five males and one
female, with generally very short stature of heights of between 156cm and
160cm. The age of the four males is estimated to be between 25-45 years
old and the female between 35-45 years old.
Research on this ancient cemetery site is still on going and the
excavated artifacts such as pottery, ornaments and food remains like shells
and animal bones are being analysed at Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Research collaboration with a palaeanthropologist from Sapporo Medical
University, Hokkaido, Japan is also currently underway in order to extract
more information about the burials and the ancient people who lived in
the Niah-Subis region 2,000 to 3,000 years ago.
This new finding will not only enrich knowledge on the early history of
Malaysia and Southeast Asia but it is also expected to attract more
local and foreign tourists to visit this new site, which is located in
the Niah National Park in Miri, Sarawak.