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Prepared By, Group 5:

Jescinta Alice Matusinus (66267),

Lisah Sibin (66504),

Nuraisah Binti Abdul Majid (68688),

Stephenie Zainol (67820)

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The Bukit Tengkorak or Skull Hill is not stranger in every ear of Sabah’s community because the Bukit Tengkorak is a place of human history in the past. This place got a name when an archaeology member found some type of skull in the hill in 1994 by USM researcher. The Bukit Tengkorak has existed around 3000 years ago and it was located at Jalan Tampi-tampi, only 10 minutes drives away from Semporna town. Bukit Tengkorak is a part of volcanic rock-shelter site and a part of volcano mouth of 2km in diameter (Bukit Tengkorak Archaelogical sites, 2011). Bukit Tengkorak is one of the largest pottery making sites in Southeast Asia during the Neolithic period (about 3,000 years ago, between 4340 BC and 50 BC). The rock formation at Bukit Tengkorak consists of volcanic breccias, mostly andesitic rocks, and believed to be the remnants of past volcanic eruptions which occurred during the Pliocene Period (5.3 to 1.8 million years ago) (Treasure Hunt on Skill Hill, 2013).

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Uniqueness of Bukit Tengkorak

The uniqueness of Bukit Tengkorak shows when Bukit Tengkorak was the starting point for the settlement and development of Neolithic period in Southeast Asia. Through archaeological surveys and excavations that have been under way since the early 1900s, we have uncovered many facts and remains of Neolithic culture. For this reason, Bukit Tengkorak is one of the most important archaeological sites in Malaysia.

Next, Bukit Tengkorak that was located in the district of Semporna makes this place not only a tourist attraction, but Semporna is also an area rich in discovery of prehistoric Neolithic evidence. The discovery of thousands of prehistoric clay fragments and clay by a team of researchers from the Malaysian Archaeological Research Center, University of Science Malaysia in collaboration with the Sabah Museum Department has proven that Bukit Tengkorak was the largest prehistoric pottery site in Southeast Asia during the Neolithic Age about 3,000 years ago (Chia, 2016). In addition to the discovery of fragments of pottery and clay used in making pottery, there are also artifacts of human burial in wooden coffins, carpets, shell, wooden batting, and mud burials. Besides that, Archaeologists have also discovered some types of skulls in Bukit Tengkorak, which is why they are known as Bukit Tengkorak. This discovery was one of the reasons that make Bukit Tengkorak unique.

Bukit Tengkorak is also unique as Bukit Tengkorak was the best geographical area in Semporna. In this context, it was the place of inactive volcano. Millions of years ago, the Bukit Tengkorak area was an active volcano and had a volcanic eruption a million years ago. For this reason, Bukit Tengkorak is a hill that results from volcanic eruptions in collaboration with Dr. Stephen Chia with expertise from National University of Malaysia (UKM) and USM successfully identified the 1.8 million-year-old volcanic crater ancient and ancient river passages linking the site of Bukit Tengkorak with the ocean of Sulawesi. Because Bukit Tengkorak is no longer an active volcano, the government is considering making Bukit Tengkorak a recreation area.

Besides that, Bukit Tengkorak has become a focus for Semporna residents to do hill climbing with family or friends. Usually visitors do hiking in the morning or in the evening. There are also many teenagers who want beautiful scenery for photos. Many do not realize that despite the fatigue of climbing Bukit Tengkorak, they can enjoy the beautiful view of Bukit Tengkorak decorated with lush greenery and crystal clear Semporna sea water. There is also a gallery of Bukit Tengkorak archeological heritage in Bukit Tengkorak. It is intended to preserve the prehistoric remains of the Neolithic era in Southeast Asia. It shows that the surrounding of Bukit Tengkorak can make this place unique.

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Importance of Bukit Tengkorak

Other that than due to the discovery of the various artifact in 1994 until 1995 by archaeological researcher which is the Centre for archaeological Research of Malaysia Museum Sabah team at Bukit Tengkorak, shows that the archaeological evidence at Bukit Tengkorak revealed a pattern of cultural continuity where old tradition survived and new element were incorporated therefore it is possible that a site was frequently used as there were no break in the occupational levels. This points Three Cultural Phases, namely Early (4340-1285 BC), Middle ( 1200-900 BC) and Late Phases (900 To Perhaps 50 BC) were defined at Bukit Tengkorak on the basic of the soil stratigraphy, radiocarbon dates as well as the spatial and temporal distribution of artifact (Chia, 2001). Furthermore, research on the Bukit Tengkorak also points that there were cultural contact and trade between 4300 BC and 50 BC involving people living at Bukit Tengkorak with other prehistoric communities along the southeastern coast of Sabah, Sulu Archipelago, Palawan, southern Mindanao, Sulawasi and the chain of islands between Papua New Guinea and Melanesia (Tapak Warisan Arkeologi Bukit Tengkorak, 2019).

Essentially, Bukit Tengkorak also known as for becoming an important archaeological site in Southeast Asia because of the artefacts that was discovered is being used to supports the new hypothesis on ancient human migration. Besides that, hundreds of thousands of pieces of prehistoric pottery decorated with intricate patterns, another unique discovery from this hill is stone tools made of chert, agate and obsidian. Food remains comprising animal and fish bones and shellfish are also found (Treasure Hunt on Skull Hill (Bukit Tengkorak) of Sabah, 2013). The Bukit Tengkorak is now a museum that open to all visitors from different kind of people and cultural background from around the world to enjoy the view of the historical site also the artifact that were discovered by the local and foreign archaeologist.

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Contribution of Bukit Tengkorak in terms of Art, Culture and Archaeology

Meanwhile, after knowing all the history, uniqueness and some of the importance of Bukit Tengkorak, this place also has the contribution especially in terms of art and culture. As we know, Bukit Tengkorak is one of the largest pottery sites in Semporna and Southeast Asia. During the previous time, Bukit Tengkorak has becomes one of the famous pottery sites in the Neolithic Era. The evidence of the pottery was founded during the Neolithic Era on 3000 years old of pottery. This storage of pottery can help to maintaining the history of art in pottery especially to the next generation. Besides that, the pottery evolution in Bukit Tengkorak also can attract tourist to discover in terms of history. When tourist come to this place, automatically they will learn some knowledge about history of pottery as one of important art in Malaysia.

Furthermore, by looking at the aspects of culture, Bukit Tengkorak was the place that help to preserve the previous human culture. For instance, the discovery of Bukit Tengkorak have shown the evidence about the flora and fauna such as fish, urchins and animal bones. By exploring this evidence, it shows that the culture of human in the past was depends on foraging activities such as marine adaption to survive in their daily life.

Moreover, the contributions of Bukit Tengkorak also help to preserve the prehistoric artefacts in terms of archaeological site. On the effort of Bukit Tengkorak to maintaining this archaeological site, this place will provide such a lot of information especially about some of the evidence that will be found by tourist during excavations. According to Chia (2016), the evidence included the human burials in timber coffins, carpets and slime burials. There are also evidence such as acrylic stone tools, acrylic and obsidian, clay and stone fragements, bronze bells, tools beetles and beads to prove that Bukit Tengkorak was one of the places of a workshop tool microlite rocks (See photo 3: Example of stone tools/ Microliths).

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In a nutshell, previous history especially in terms of archaeological sites is the most important for human all over the world to know and learn. Same as the Bukit Tengkorak that was existed during the previous year ago was the important sites especially in Sabah because this place give a positive impacts on the society. In terms of archaeological, this sites can help to preserve the archaeological art and culture by saving the evidence of the previous history. Through this evidence, society can learn more about the history of archaeological sites. Not only that, it can help young generation to discovers and explores more about the prehistoric during Neolithic Era. Hence, Bukit Tengkorak should be the number one place for tourist to come and explore more experience by learning the previous history.

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