Kebudayaan Paleolitik Di Lembah Mansuli Semasa Pleistosen Tengah Hingga Pleistosen Akhir (235,000 -11,000 Tahun Dahulu)
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Date
2015-06
Authors
Abdullah, Mohd Jeffrey
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Abstract
Mansuli Valley is located in Lahad Datu, Sabah. This study involved two Palaeolithic sites within the valley; an open-air site of Mansuli and Gua Samang Buat. Each site has revealed four cultural layers and provided evidence that the valley was inhabited as early as 235,000 years until 11,000 years ago, based on optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and radiocarbon dating methods. At the Mansuli open-air site, there are 4 cultural layers which have been dated using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) to 15,400, 24,600, 52,600 and 235,000 years ago respectively. Whereas at Gua Samang Buat, 4 cultural layers have been exposed but the basal layer has not been reached yet. The first three cultural layers are dated to 11,000 BP, 15,000 BP and 28,000 BP respectively using radiocarbon method. The fourth layer is 46,000 years ago, dated using the OSL method. There is a substantial evidence for stone tool making in each layer at both sites. The stone tools found were generally divided into 3 main types; flake tools, pebble tools and chunk tools. Evidently, stone tool production at both sites signified cognitive ability due to the presence of cores. In fact, there are similarities in the method of stone tool production between these sites, using 3 techniques, namely direct technique, indirect technique and edge trimming technique. There is also a similarity between the stone tools from both sites. Gua Samang Buat revealed a higher frequency of flake tool production at the end of the occupancy around 11,000 years ago, while Mansuli open-air site showed homogenous production in all layers, albeit some changes in tool size. These changes were due to the location of raw materials that has been sourced for the stone tool production. The proximity of the source will determine the size of the tools; bigger tools were made if the source is closer to the site, while smaller tools were made using raw materials taken from outside the area. Morphologically, flake tools from both sites shows an amorphous shape, but cluster analysis revealed several groupings of these tools. There is a morphological correlation between flake tools found on both sites and across different cultural layers. In addition, there is a clear criteria in terms of the selection of material at both sites, which is chert material was probably chosen because of the colour and texture of that material. Palaeoenvironment reconstruction indicated that the Palaeolithic people were producing stone tools at the open-air site situated by a lake, with an environment of a tropical dry forest during the early stage of the occupancy. This environment is suitable for large animals, creating a possibility for big-game hunting during that time. Based on spatial analysis, the migratory routes probably run through valleys, ridges and lakes that become a focal point among Palaeolithic societies. In conclusion, the study has revealed evidence of Palaeolithic culture which is pivotal not only to Sabah but the region.