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Ancient Malaysian Rock Art Narrates a Disturbing Tale: A Comprehensive Study by Scientists
The charcoal illustrations within Sarawak’s Gua Sireh Cave have been successfully dated by scientists, unfolding a narrative of Indigenous opposition to violence on the frontier from AD 1670 to 1830. Comprised of bamboo charcoal, the images delineate scenes of conflict, hunting, and dancing, offering insights into the area’s history marred by colonization and conflict. The image above showcases the dated rock art. Photo Credit: Andrea Jalandoni.
The Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research, collaborating with The Sarawak Museum Department, are the pioneers in dating the Gua Sireh Cave’s drawings in Sarawak, revealing a somber tale of strife.
The well-known limestone cave of Gua Sireh in western Sarawak, on Malaysia’s Borneo island, is home to several charcoal illustrations on its inner walls and attracts many visitors each year.
Situated about 55km southeast of Sarawak’s Capital, Kuching, the site is overseen by the Bidayuh (local Indigenous people), working jointly with The Sarawak Museum Department. The drawings encapsulate Indigenous defiance to frontier brutality during the 1600s and 1800s AD.
Radiocarbon dating places the drawings from 280 to 120 cal BP (AD 1670 to 1830), aligning with a time of escalating conflict as the Malay ruling class imposed severe tributes on Indigenous hill tribes, including the Bidayuh.
Photo Credit Paul S.C. Taçon, showing Mohammad Sherman Sauffi William from the Sarawak Museum Department and Jillian Huntley while collecting sample GS3.
As per the research team, these radiocarbon dates stand as the initial chronological age determinations for rock art in Malaysia. Dr. Jillian Huntley, the study’s co-lead, emphasized the importance of identifying the substance used for the drawings.
The team aimed to affirm that charcoal was the drawing material, as the choices for radiocarbon dating are limited. The examination determined the use of charcoal derived from various bamboo species, and being on limestone, the images have been exceptionally well-preserved.
Video Credit: Andrea Jalandoni, providing a digital exploration of Gua Sireh Cave.
Gua Sireh’s art is part of a more extensive collection of black drawings dispersed from the Philippines, central Island Southeast Asia, across Borneo and Sulawesi, to Peninsular Malaysia. They are believed to be connected with Austronesian-speaking peoples’ dispersion.
Previous dating projects by the Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research have identified similar drawings in the Philippines, dated to ~3500 cal BP and ~1500 cal BP in southern Sulawesi.
Dr. Huntley stated, “Black drawings in the region have persisted for millennia,” and added that their work at Gua Sireh shows that this art form has been utilized to document Indigenous experiences of colonization and territorial violence up to recent times.
An infographic representing the dated rock art. Design Credit: Lucas Huntley.
Co-lead Distinguished Professor Paul Tacon acknowledged that the rock art of northwest Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia) predominantly features human, animal, ship, and abstract geometric designs.
Professor Tacon explained that the Gua Sireh drawings include figures with headdresses, armed with weapons, depicted in actions like hunting, butchering, fighting, and dancing. While they had hints about the age, the actual dates were unknown, making interpretation challenging.
Bidayuh descendant and curator at The Sarawak Museum Department, Mr. Mohammad Sherman Sauffi William, said that oral histories from the Bidayuh, who still oversee the site, guided the understanding of the dates.
He narrated the story of Gua Sireh’s use as a sanctuary during early 1800s territorial conflicts, and how the tribe saved their children from a demanding Malay Chief by escaping through a passageway in the cave, despite losses.
The text also mentions the portrayal of distinctive weapons like the Pandat and Parang Ilang, used during battles that marked the initial decades of white rule in Borneo.
Funding for this study was provided by the Australian Research Council and Griffith University.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Gua Sireh Cave
What is the significance of the charcoal drawings found in Gua Sireh Cave?
The charcoal drawings in Gua Sireh Cave, Sarawak, Malaysia, dating between AD 1670 to 1830, portray scenes of Indigenous resistance to frontier violence, hunting, fighting, and dancing. They provide valuable insights into the region’s history, reflecting a period of conflict and colonization.
Who conducted the research on the charcoal drawings in Gua Sireh Cave?
The research on the charcoal drawings in Gua Sireh Cave was conducted by the Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research, in partnership with The Sarawak Museum Department.
What materials were used to create the drawings, and how were they preserved?
The drawings were created using charcoal from different species of bamboo. Being drawn on limestone, they have been remarkably well preserved over the centuries.
Where is Gua Sireh Cave located?
Gua Sireh Cave is located in western Sarawak on the island of Borneo in Malaysia, approximately 55km southeast of Sarawak’s capital, Kuching.
What do the drawings in Gua Sireh Cave depict?
The drawings depict scenes of hunting, fighting, and dancing, portraying Indigenous resistance to frontier violence during the 1600s and 1800s AD. They include images of people wearing headdresses and armed with weapons, showing activities like hunting, butchering, fishing, fighting, and dancing.
Who managed the site of Gua Sireh Cave, and who were the subjects of the drawings?
The site is managed by the Bidayuh, the local Indigenous peoples, in collaboration with The Sarawak Museum Department. The drawings depict Indigenous hill tribes, including the Bidayuh, and their resistance to the violence exacted by Malay elites controlling the region.
How were the drawings in Gua Sireh Cave dated?
The drawings were dated using radiocarbon ages, placing them between 280 and 120 cal BP (AD 1670 to 1830). This is the first chronometric age determination for Malaysian rock art.
How are the art forms in Gua Sireh Cave related to other regions?
The art at Gua Sireh is part of a wider distribution of black drawings found from the Philippines through central Island Southeast Asia across Borneo and Sulawesi to Peninsular Malaysia. They are thought to be associated with the diaspora of Austronesian-speaking peoples.
5 comments
Didnt know about the Gua Sireh Cave before. This article opens a window to the past. Speaks volumes about human civilization and how we recorded history.
Really interesting stuff. I never knew the history of Malaysia had such depth with the Indigenous tribes. Wish i could visit the cave myself one day.
I’m amazed at the preservation of these drawings. It’s like history’s been frozen in time, what a find! can’t wait to read more about it.
the drawings made from bamboo charcoal and their survival over centuries is incredible. science and history merging together is always a great thing to read about!
The collaboration between the Griffith Centre and Sarawak Museum Department seems fruitful. How many more hidden gems are out there waiting to be found?