Zooarchaeological Perspectives on Faunal Remains from Gua Kain Hitam B, Niah, Sarawak.
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THE SARAWAK MUSEUM JOURNAL |
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Title :
Zooarchaeological Perspectives on Faunal Remains from Gua Kain Hitam B, Niah, Sarawak. |
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Author :
Velat Bujeng and Stephen Chia |
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Abstract:
Archaeological research carried out since the 1950’s in Sarawak has revealed evidence of early human occupation, dating from around 43,000 BP until 1,300 A.D., in the limestone complex of Niah Subis, Niah (Harrisson, 1959; Zuraina, 1982; Barker, 2005; Barker et al., 2001). The prehistory of Sarawak, in particular the Niah Caves, shows a long and continuous period of human occupation from the Late Pleistocene (Paleolithic) to the Late Holocene (Harrisson, 1958; Cranbrook, 2000; Barker et al., 2007). In 2007 and 2008, archaeological research was conducted at Gua Kain Hitam B, Niah by the Centre for Global Archaeological Research at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang with the cooperation of the Sarawak Museum Department, Kuching. The research was conducted in order to obtain new’ dates and data on the prehistory of Gua Kain Hitam B, which is located in the Niah-Subis limestone complex, about 110 km southeast from Miri, Sarawak (Fig. 1). Gazetted in 1974, the Niah-Subis limestone complex,now’ known as the Niah National Park, is a relatively popular tourist destination due to its rich diversity of flora as well as its archaeological findings and geological formations (Wilford, 1964; Dana, 2001). Results of the recent archaeological research at Gua Kain Hitam B revealed evidence of a prehistoric cemetery associated with earthenware sherds, shell ornaments and faunal remains. Radiocarbon dating of the burials and the excavated artefacts from the various cultural levels is currently being done. The extended burials and associated artefacts, however, suggested that the burials and artefacts could date from the Late Neolithic to Early Holocene period. This article presents and discusses the preliminary findings of the faunal remains excavated from Gua Kain Hitam B in 2007 and 2008 from a zooarchaeological perspective.
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| DOI: XXXX |
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How to cite:
Velat Bujeng and Stephen Chia. (2009). Zooarchaeological Perspectives on Faunal Remains from Gua Kain Hitam B, Niah, Sarawak. The Sarawak Museum Journal, LXVI (87): 199-227 |
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References
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