ZOOMORPHIC IMAGES IN PREHISTORIC CAVE PAINTING OF KAIN HITAM CAVE (PAINTED CAVE) NIAH, SARAWAK

This article debates the zoomorphic images or images of animals that have been produced on prehistoric cave walls. Kain Hitam Cave or known as Painted Cave, located within the Niah Cave complex, is a cave that believed have been inhabited by Neolithic peoples. Inside the cave, there were a variety of artifacts including boat-shaped coffins, jewelry made of shells, bones, and ceramics. Inside the cave, there is also a cave painting that is produced on the wall using hematite material mixed with a mixture of plant material. The main focus of this article is to record all the animal images found inside the cave wall. This research also attempted to document images digitally. The researchers produced a re-image using Adobe Photoshop's digital software. The results of this research are to collect a more organized and detailed collection of images.

A New Analysis of Population History in Sabah and Sarawak

Objective - This study is a comprehensive account of contemporary knowledge concerning pre-historic communities in Sabah and Sarawak based on newly available evidence from genomic and archaeological research. Methodology/Technique - The data presented in this review was obtained from primary literature including recent reports on several Neolithic excavation sites including Gua Sireh, Bukit Tengkorak, Melanta Tutup, and Bukit Kamiri. Findings - Pre-neolithic populations existed in Borneo long before the arrival of Austronesians as is evident from Niah Cave remains. These considerably pre-date the arrival of the latter new immigrants around 3,500 years ago. Further genetic research is needed, as the current view of the history of the population is based on a limited number of ethnic groups among those currently living in Borneo and to date, no trace has been found of any surviving genetic lineages from the earliest settlers. Novelty - This review paints a contemporary picture from existing information. In particular, it highlights the need for further research on the topic, as the current view of the genetic history of the population in Sabah and Sarawak is only available on a limited number of ethnic groups currently living in Borneo. Developing a conclusive and composite view on this topic will require widespread genetic surveys of many more ethnic groups scattered throughout the Sabah and Sarawak areas. This will require large-scale next-generation techniques (such as genome-wide SNP surveys and whole genome sequencing etc.). These methods should be enhanced by examination of ancient materials including human remains and their associated artefacts. These initiatives will require a number of well-planned excavations of recent settlements (last 10,000 years) and the application of trace and ancient DNA methodology. Type of Paper - Review. Keywords: Population Genetics; Archaeology; Borneo; Sabah and Sarawak; Malaysia; Population History. JEL Classification: N90, Z10.

Tourism Supply Side: The Case of Niah Cave’s Swiftlets

Often studies on tourism come from the consumer perspective. However, this study focuses on the supply side of the industry using the wonders of Niah Cave which is located in interior Sarawak, Malaysia. Amongst others, Niah Cave has hundred thousands of swiftlet population and the world’s famous archaeological site to attract tourists. This article explores a venue whereby the tourism’s supply side, in this instance, the swiftlet population could be bridged with the industry’s consumer side. The evolvement of sustainability conscious consumers, particularly in the millennium era results in the advocation of consumption in a more sustainable manner, irrespective whether the products are man-made or in the forms of the natural environment. An interpretative research method with the like of observation and semi-structured in-depth interviews formed the data gathering tool. The Niah Cave was explored in late January 2017. Findings show that Niah Cave was literally on the tourist map due to its world’s famous archaeological site. The huge population of swiftlets with their nests attracted harvesters for decade. The processes of harvesting these nests which remarkably endured through climbing bamboo ladders and dangling ropes from cave ceilings, hundreds feet from the cave floor, charmed tourists