The Limestone - Natural forming and carving of limestone
The
Great CaveNiah is another attraction to tourism in north east region of Sarawak (Miri). It is the place of oldest modern human settlement and civilization found in this region. In year 1958, 40,000 years old remains of a modern human (Paleolithic Era - earliest stone age) was found by Tom Harrison and his archaeology team at a dig of West Mouth of the Great Cave, this discovery was finally proved by modern scientific dating techniques.
Million
of cave swiflets that live in the cave make their nests purely from their
own salivary secretions, and when the nests are cleaned and cooked they
produce the famous birds nest soup, which is as highly regarded in Chinese
cuisine as caviar is in the West. Prices vary to the quality of the bird
nest. Collecting
the nest from the cave ceiling is a dangerous and difficult job, thus
the price of birds nest is so high. Obviously such a valuable commodity
is a magnet and highly business potential for poachers who will collect
the bird nest unlawfully, therefore the caves are constantly monitored
by park wardens, to prevent illegal collectors.
The
passage at entrance of the Great Cave leads to a large
chamber known as the Padang, where there is shaft of
sunlight stream down from large holes in the cave roof
to illuminate the bizarre rock formations in the Burnt
Cave. This is another excellent spot for taking photos
and viewing the scenary. After the Padang, the cave
passage becomes pitch black, and it is here that you
will need the flashlight, not only to find your way
along the plankwalk, but to view the extraordinary
shapes and weathering effects found in the Moon Cave.
Shortly after the moon cave, the plankwalk emerges into daylight and a short pathway through the forest leads to the Painted Cave. This is the site of the famous Niah cave paintings and the place where the ‘death-ships’ were found.
The
Painted CaveA wall painting that depicting the boat journey of the dead into the afterlife. Most importantly the painted wall was explained by the discovery of a number of death-ships on the cave floor - a boat-shaped coffins containing the remains of the deceased. The death-ships burials have been dated as ranging between 1 AD and 780 AD.
The human figures and the boats of the painting probably respresenting warriors and hunters with longboats carrying the soul of the deceased on the journey to the land of death or resting place. The atmosphere of the painted cave is very relaxing, it is easy to understand that why the early inhabitants had chosen a suitable resting place for their ancestors afterlife.
