Agop Batu Tulug Caves

Agop Batu Tulug Caves

The limestone cliffs seen from outside which also the main gate to the caves.
Coordinates 5°24′58.2″N 117°56′31.8″W / 5.416167°N 117.942167°WCoordinates: 5°24′58.2″N 117°56′31.8″W / 5.416167°N 117.942167°W
Entrances 1

Agop Batu Tulug Caves is an archaeological site in the Malaysian state of Sabah and refers to a group of several caves in a steep limestone cliffs in the Kinabatangan district.

Etymology

"Agop" in Sungai language means cave, "Batu" is the Malay word for rock, while "Tulug" comes from the Cebuano language which means "sleep".

History

The wooden coffins.
Several wooden coffins in the upper cave.

The caves used since 500 to 900 years ago as a burial place with about 125 carved wooden coffins available inside. It was divided into three main caves, namely Agop Sawat (upper cave), Agop Lintanga (middle cave) and Agop Suriba (lower cave). The caves at Agop Sawat and Lintanga contained more than 125 ancient log coffins.[1] All coffins inside the caves were made from belian (Eusideroxylon zwageri) hardwood, and decorated with carvings of buffalo head, crocodile, house lizard and snake. The carvings reflect the myths and legends of the Kinabatangan people. For example, a crocodile is related to death and the power darkness while the bugang bird, dog, rooster and deer were friends of their heroes. The coffins resemble different animals associated to the beliefs of the Orang Sungai but it has also been said that they are the coffins of the Chinese who once settled in the area as Chinese artefacts were found among the remains.[2] It is believed that this type of funeral culture was brought by traders from Mainland China and Indochina to North Borneo, since similar wooden coffins were also discovered in these countries. Researchers assumes that about 2,000 such wooden coffins are distributed in the Kinabatangan Valley. Other sites are located in Ulu Segama, Lahad Datu and Tawau.[3]

Since 6 July 1996, the caves are part of the Sabah Museum, which is responsible for maintenance and upkeep the ancillary facilities such as toilets, staircase buildings, office buildings and overnight cabins except for the scientific support of the caves.[1]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Agop Batu Tulug.
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Museum Agop Batu Tulug, Kinabatangan". Sabah Museum. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  2. ↑ Postrade Opine (31 July 2012). "Agop Batu Tulug (Ancient Burial Cave)". Blogspot. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  3. ↑ Haslin Gaffor (10 April 2007). "Coffins dating back 1,000 years are found in the Kinabatangan Valley". The Star. Retrieved 28 November 2014.

External links