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The cave is a significant archaeological evidence concerning
prehistoric existence in Southeast Asia. Located on the
island of Sarawak, East Malaysia, and 10 miles inland from
the South China Sea. The Niah Cave provides examples of
early Pleistocene man's habitat in Sarawak. The Niah Park
encompasses of a 7,756 acre of virgin rainforest with limestone
of millions of years old. Archaeological excavations carried
out by the Sarawak Museum beginning in 1954 have discovered
human and food remains and stone age implements dating back
40,000 years. Other interesting features of the caves include
the millions of swiftlets and bats.
The Niah Cave, is massive, with five openings, the main
cave is known as the painted cave because of the red hematite
wall and ceiling paintings. Its mouth is about 300 feet
high by 600 feet wide. While other sections of the cave
are dark, moist, and inhabited by millions of bats and swiftlets,
the painted cave is dry, and well lit. Getting there, is
easily accessible through the Kuching airport for a 50-minute
flight to Miri, then continue the journey by foot,to the
Great Caves.
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