| Abstract: |
This paper discusses bone and shell tools and ornaments recovered during archaeological excavations at Bukit Sarang, Bintulu, in 2003, and Gua (cave) Kain Hitam B, Niah, Miri, Sarawak in 2007, by the Centre for Global Archaeological Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang, and Sarawak Museum Department, Kuching, Malaysia. The excavations at Bukit Sarang and Gua Kain Hitam B, have uncovered, amongst other archaeological artifacts, prehistoric faunal remains radiocarbon dated from 900 to 3000 BP. These faunal remains comprise a variety of animal bones and shells, suggesting a broad spectrum of foraging and hunting strategies of different environments in the rainforests. Some of the faunal remains, such as animal bones and shells, were not discarded but were modified and made into bone tools, shell tools, and ornaments. The identifiable types of bone tools comprised spatulas, pointed tools and rods, while the ornaments consisted of mainly shell beads and pendants. Morphological and use-wear analyses of these bone tools, shell tools and ornaments provide useful insights and evidence in regard to the skills and manufacturing techniques used to produce them as well as their possible functions.
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