Muzium Negara Early History - burials

The National Museum of Malaysia, Muzium Negara, in Kuala Lumpur, has renovated since my last visit. There are 4 galleries and the first one is of interest to me as it is the Early History one.

This gallery covers 3 eras - the Permian, the Prehistoric and the Proto Historic.

The Permian era explains scientific theories on the development of the earth and environment that contribute to the development of human culture.

The Prehistoric era explains the development of human culture from the Paleolithic, Hoabinhian/Epi-Palaeolithic, and Neolithic era up to the Metal Age.

The Proto Historic era include Hindu/Buddhist beliefs.

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There is quite a feature on cave burials.

There are various skulls shown, the first one is from Gua Cha, and the second one is Homo sapiens from Gua Niah

There are several large display cases containing adult skeletons. The temperature and humidity is controlled. But it was difficult to take photos.

This picture shows a skeleton buried with knees drawn up near the chest.

Gua Cha skeleton

There is a nice replica of a cave showing people and cave drawings. At the front of the cave is the skeleton of an infant which was found in Gua Cha in Kalantan.

Some communities especially in Sabah and Sarawak practiced jar burials. Bones and ash were placed in jars which were then put on the floor of caves.

See next albums on museum displays of Perak Man, and stone tools and cave paintings.

© Liz Price No reproduction without permission

Fairy Cave, Bau, Sarawak

Fairy Cave is a show cave located at Bau, near Kuching, in Sarawak, Malaysia. Wind Cave is also in the area.
On my last visit in 2007 I was surprised to see a well built solid enclosed staircase leading up to the entrance. On previous visits there was just a set of stone steps going up the hill :


The new staircase


The actual cave is very large, however the entrance passage is quite small

but soon pops out into the main chamber



The statue of the Fairy, from which the cave gets its name

There are offerings


At the top of the main chamber steps lead up to a back entrance.

View looking towards the main entrance -

 

There are monophyllaea and ferns growing

Looking back into the cave

On this trip I was with some bat researchers from Unimas. This is Raymond holding a bat detector

Going back down, this photo shows the sturdy structure of the staircase. It looks built to last!!!

See Wind Cave

© Liz Price
No reproduction without permission

Perak Tong cave temple murals

Perak Tong cave temple, near Ipoh in Perak, Malaysia, is one of the oldest temples, established in 1926. It is also known for its beautiful wall murals and Chinese calligraphy. Famous artists from overseas came to the temple to do the artwork. In 2009 there was a major rockfall in the cave, and some of the murals and statues were lost. These photos were taken in Aug 2009, when the temple was open again after the January rockfall.

Looking in the entrance

Calligraphy above entrance

See more on the Perak Tong rockfall and views from top of Perak Tong.

Perak Tong register number Prk 34/02.

© Liz Price No reproduction without permission