Penang - A research team from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has discovered eight prehistoric human skeletons, believed to be more than 2,000 years old, in Gua Kain Hitam, Sarawak, which discovery proves the existence of human beings in the area during the Neolithic age.
Chief Researcher and lecturer at the USM`s Centre for Archaeological Research Malaysia (PPAM) Prof Madya Stephen Chia believed there were relations between the findings at Gua Kain Hitam with the skeletons, believed to be more than 40,000 years old, which were found at Gua Niah, also in Sarawak, 53 years ago.
"The skeletons, with most of the parts, from head to toe complete, are found since 2007. They are found in a straight position and in a highly decomposed state with most of the bones broken," he told a press conference here today.
He said the team also found artifacts, like pottery, beads and food remains in the area after digging the site for about a metre deep.
Chia said six of the skeletons, that of five men and a woman, had been brought back to PPAM for scientific analysis.
"The skeletons have been conserved at the site of discovery to strengthen the bones before they are removed in June," he added.
He said the research by PPAM, with the collaboration of the Sarawak Museum Department, was conducted since 2007 and sponsored by the National Heritage Department of the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry and USM research grants.
He said scientific research by PPAM was conducted with the assistance of an expert in palaeoanthropology from the Sappora Medical University in Japan, Dr Hirofumi Matsumara.
Sarawak Museum Department Director Sahib Said said the findings of the skeletal remains from the Neolithic age could provide more information on the prehistory of Sarawak as well as attract more people to visit the Niah National Park.
Meanwhile, PPAM director Prof Madya Mokhtar Saidin said the centre had also assisted Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) to remove three prehistoric human skeletons, believed to be between 1,000 and 3,000 year old, found in a mangrove swamp at Pulau Kalumpang, Perak in July.
Source: http://www.bernama.com.my (September 18, 2008)