{"id":3430,"date":"2013-05-15T18:55:25","date_gmt":"2013-05-15T10:55:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/?p=3430"},"modified":"2025-01-21T12:02:05","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T04:02:05","slug":"skull-hill-bukit-tengkorak-of-sabah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/skull-hill-bukit-tengkorak-of-sabah\/","title":{"rendered":"Treasure Hunt on Skull Hill (Bukit Tengkorak) of Sabah"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Semporna town is Sabah’s gateway to world-class dive sites such as Sipadan. Every year ten of thousand of tourists come to Semporna, but most head straight to the islands and never visit Bukit Tengkorak (literally means Skull Hill<\/strong>), without knowing that they miss an attraction which is an ancient volcanic rim and the largest pottery making site in Southeast Asia during the Neolithic period<\/strong>. From its top, you also can enjoy a breathtaking view of Semporna and its islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bukit<\/a>
\nPic: you can see Bukit Tengkorak from Semporna town<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bukit Tengkorak was previously known as Bukit Kabongan until the discovery of two modern human skulls and skeletons on the hill by locals. Archaeologists believe they were victims of the Japanese occupation during World War II. According to a local retired teacher, Haji Abdul Rahman Omar, formerly of SMK Datu Panglima Abdullah in Semporna, many locals were reluctant to climb the hill due to the frequent discovery of human bones there in the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"archaeological<\/a>
Pic: archaeological museum at the entrance of Bukit Tengkorak<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bukit Tengkorak is only about 10 Kilometres away from Semporna town and the tour takes less than 2 hours, so I can’t find any reason not to drop by. The archaeological museum is a gallery with prehistoric artefacts. The entry is free. For a better experience, you would need a tour guide who can tell you the interesting features of this place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"registration<\/a>
\nThe admission is free, but you need to register before entering the archaeological heritage site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"starting<\/a>
\nPic: this is the wooden staircase to reach the top of 500-feet-high Bukit Tengkorak, where the excavation site is located. According to my tour guide, Kenneth, it is exactly 610 steps one way<\/strong>. Sound taxing but I went slow and didn’t feel really tired. There are some hungry mosquitoes around foothill, so please bring your insect repellent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"wooden<\/a>
\nAs you will walk under hot sun, you may apply sunblock lotion in advance. Bring some water with you, and raincoat, just in case. There are 4 shelters along the way, where you can rest and enjoy the beautiful view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"signage<\/a>
\nIn the shelter, you may read the interpretation board (written in English and Malay) about the history of Bukit Tengkorak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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). Not only that, research also shows that people traveling between Borneo and New Britain in Melanesia (near Papua New Guinea), which was one of the longest trade routes (3,500 KM) in the world during that period.<\/strong> Archaeologists believe such long-distance sea trade and migration route left behind what is known as the Lapita culture<\/a><\/em> of pottery, tools and ornaments. The old pottery manufacturing technology is still being used by the Bajau community in Semporna today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"view<\/a>
\nPic: before reaching the highest point, you already can see Semporna town. Seafest Hotel is clearly visible. Human has existed in Semporna since Paleolithic Period (about 10,000 years ago).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"interesting<\/a>
\nPic: due to the volcanic soil, the vegetation on this hill is different from other parts of Sabah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"granite<\/a>
\nPic: granite embedded in volcanic rock, an interesting geological trait on this hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pottery<\/a>
\nYou will find many pottery sherds along the way. It is estimated that more than 6 million prehistoric potsherds can be found all over this hill.<\/strong> Researchers also find large number of seashells covering Skull Hill. Some says they are washed up to the hill by super Tsunami, some says these are leftover discarded by ancestors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"observatory<\/a>
\nPic: the third shelter with open and wide view<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"shelter<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\"panoramic<\/a>
\nThe third shelter has an observatory platform, where you can have a panoramic view of Semporna and its surrounding area. In clear day, you can see Mabul Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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