Historical Exploration of Niah Cave: Its Benefits and Thrills (3)

The entrance of Niah Cave, a historic site in Borneo and the world, is an awe-inspiring sight. It is known that humans have been here for 40,000 years.

Simply reading and studying literature is not enough. 

The knowledge gained before and after personally visiting Niah Cave is markedly different. At least that’s been my personal experience.

Read Historical Exploration of Niah Cave: An Exciting Journey from Sekadau to Tebedu to Kuching (1)

I’ve been working on a book that I aim to make a definitive masterpiece on the Dayak people, their origins, and other related topics concerning the heirs of Borneo. The manuscript is nearly finished and is titled The Sensational History of the Dayak.

Radiocarbon dating of Niah Cave

For years, I have gathered materials at the National Library in Jakarta, obtained numerous primary sources from academic colleagues and researchers, studied Borneo’s prehistory through works by Blust and Bellwood, and reviewed literature from the era of Hindu Indian influence. However, I wasn't ready to publish the manuscript until I had personally investigated and traced the historical site of Niah Cave. 

I have also studied T. Harrisson's research on the Paleolithic era and its connection to the people of Niah Cave. Additionally, I have reviewed and thoroughly examined the findings of Thomas F. G. Higham and colleagues on radiocarbon dating of charcoal from tropical sequences: results from the Niah Great Cave, Sarawak. 

However, I still did not feel fully satisfied as I had not yet visited and personally investigated Niah Cave, the subject of the research. Now, I feel content and “bold” enough to write about my observations, of course, from my perspective and background in philosophy and social sciences.

What I experienced during a week in Sarawak and a few days in Batu Niah was profoundly different from what I had learned from books. Before this manuscript becomes a book, I’d like to share some of the insights and findings from my exploration with the dedicated readers of this digital media.

Niah Cave stands as a remarkable historical site on the island of Borneo, offering a unique window into the past. My personal connection to Niah Cave began well before I met Ipoi Datan, Director of the Sarawak Museum (2009 - 2019), in 2015. 

Ipoi Datan played a pivotal role in the “Deep Skull from Niah Cave” research project. He was a key member of the Sarawak Museum team collaborating with the University of Florida in 2017 to study the human remains found in the cave. 

Ipoi Datan (right, wearing a blue T-shirt) and I, at the far left, during a dinner in Kuching while having a chat.

This research aimed to unravel the historical and evolutionary significance of the site, contributing to our understanding of early human life in this region.

Niah Cave is not just a geographical landmark

Niah Cave is not just a geographical landmark but a historical treasure trove. Located in the Miri area, it marks the beginning of Sarawak’s documented history, stretching back around 40,000 years. 

Over the millennia, Niah Cave has served various roles: from a habitation site and burial ground to a temporary shelter for those in need. Today, the cave complex and its surroundings are protected as a National Park, ensuring the preservation of its historical and ecological significance.

Dating back 35,000 to 40,000 years, the period when the “Niah Man” roamed is crucial to understanding early human history. These early Homo sapiens were part of a group that traversed the now-submerged continent of Sundaland.

The human remains found in Niah Cave 

Situated in the hills of Gunung Subis, about 16 kilometers from the South China Sea, the Niah Caves were once connected to the mainland. 

During the Upper Pleistocene and Holocene periods, rising sea levels due to global warming submerged much of this land, transforming the geographical and ecological landscape of Southeast Asia into what we recognize today.

Signage for where tourists want to go: All locations, except the Niah Caves, are significant as part of a unified landscape of human civilization from 40,000 years ago and within the configuration of the Borneo rainforest.

Gunung Subis, with its vast swamp forest, is like a massive sponge harboring the Niah Caves. Some of these caves are small cracks, while others are monumental. 

The Great Cave, for instance, spans 10.5 hectares, with its West Mouth reaching 61 meters in height and 243 meters in width. Many of these caves have names that reflect their historical or functional significance, such as ‘Burnt Cave,’ ‘Bat Guano Cave,’ and ‘Bone Cave.’

The human remains found in Niah Cave have long been known to the local population. Burials continued in the cave long after people stopped living there. 

Despite its significance, 19th-century explorers, including those searching for the ‘missing link’ proposed by Charles Darwin, dismissed Niah as ‘wholly uninteresting except to naturalists.’ They clearly missed the full extent of the cave’s hidden nooks and passages.

The Sarawak Museum began its formal investigation of Niah Cave in 1957, leading to groundbreaking discoveries. 

In addition to uncovering multiple layers of early human habitation, researchers found the skull of “Niah Man” in the West Mouth of the Great Cave. 

This skull belonged to ‘a young person whose closest morphological affinities are with the recent Tasmanians,’ according to one expert archaeologist. As it turns out, no such people currently inhabit the region; Niah Man’s kin group migrated southward while other tribes moved into Borneo.

Recent studies have added another layer to this story: “Niah Man” was most likely a female. As of 2014, the preferred term for this ancient ancestor is Niah Woman, or, for greater inclusivity, Niah Person.

But visiting Niah Cave isn’t just about satisfying curiosity. The cave offers an array of fascinating features and stunning views. 

To reach Niah Cave, visitors embark on a 3-kilometer walk

Tourists come not only from within Malaysia but from around the globe—places like Taiwan, China, Korea, Japan, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, and the United States. Visitors often display a range of physical appearances, languages, and styles that hint at their diverse origins.

Tourists from the Western world observe the layout and natural wealth around Niah Cave, including its entire habitat and natural resources, not just the historical site.

The entrance fee is 10 Malaysian Ringgit for locals and 20 Ringgit for international tourists, reflecting the cave's appeal to both local and global explorers.

Upon reaching the Niah River, visitors must cross by boat, adding a touch of excitement to the trip. The river is known for its crocodiles, a fact highlighted by a cautionary sign reading, “Beware of Crocodiles!” 

This adds an element of thrill and reinforces the wild and untamed nature of the Borneo Rainforest that envelops the cave.

After the boat ride, the journey continues with another 3 kilometers on foot. The path to the cave is a blend of natural beauty and challenge, characterized by slippery trails and long wooden bridges that stretch seemingly endlessly. 

These bridges not only provide crucial passage over marshy areas but also offer panoramic views of the surrounding rainforest.

Navigating this rugged terrain immerses visitors in the vibrant ecosystem of Borneo's rainforest. 

The dense foliage, diverse wildlife, and unique flora create a rich backdrop to the exploration. The trek itself becomes a part of the adventure, heightening the anticipation as visitors approach the cave's entrance.

The final destination, Niah Cave, is not just a geological wonder but a significant archaeological site. It is renowned for its prehistoric human remains and ancient cave paintings, making it a compelling site for history enthusiasts and adventurers alike. 

The combination of the journey and the destination provides a multi-layered experience—one that blends natural beauty, adventure, and historical intrigue into a memorable exploration of Borneo’s captivating landscape.

-- Masri Sareb Putra, M.A.