KUCHING: A set of bones from the Niah Caves is expected to arrive in Sarawak today.
The skeletal remains, which comprised 122 bone fragments and sealed in over 30 boxes, are on their way back from University of Nevada, the United States.
Tourism, Arts and Culture assistant minister Datuk Sebastian Ting said the collection was important to Sarawak as the latest findings concluded that prehistoric man’s existence in Niah Caves began 65,000 years ago, instead of the initial 40,000 years.
“This changes the historical landscape of Sarawak, and the state government is working towards listing the Niah Caves as a Unesco World Heritage Site,” he said.
He told reporters this after launching the ‘The Return of Niah Skeletal Collections ― Long Journey Home’ seminar at Waterfront Hotel here yesterday.
He further mentioned that the state government had allocated some budget to develop the Niah Caves so that accessibility would be easier.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Museum acting director Tazudin Mohtar informed that due to the high importance of the bones, they would be the main exhibit at the new Sarawak Museum Complex.
He also said that further research on the skeletal remains was ongoing.
“The research is led by University of Florida lecturer Dr John Krigbaum.
“We have yet to know the findings of this research, but it is expected to go on for about four to five years,” he added.
