ID :
20090
Thu, 09/18/2008 - 22:47
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/20090
The shortlink copeid
RESEARCHERS FIND PREHISTORIC HUMAN SKELETONS IN STATE OF SARAWAK
PENANG (Malaysia), Sept 18 (Bernama) -- 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 in 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 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 East Malaysia state
of 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
Thursday.
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 palaeoanthropoly from the Sappora Medical Unversity 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 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.
-- BERNAMA
Chief Researcher and lecturer at the USM's Centre for Archaeological
Research Malaysia (PPAM) Prof 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 East Malaysia state
of 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
Thursday.
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 palaeoanthropoly from the Sappora Medical Unversity 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 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.
-- BERNAMA
