KUALA TERENGGANU, March 23 (Bernama) -- Located some 40 km from Kuala Berang, Asia's largest man-made lake Tasik Kenyir in Hulu Terengganu is well known among nature lovers.
Not many know that the 38,000 hectare-wide Tasik Kenyir, 'blessed' with 14 waterfalls and small islands such as Pulau Bayas, Pulau Sumas, Pulau Jelatang and Pulau Batu Pipit or Pulau Mahathir, is also rich with 'jurassic' relics.
Gua Bewah, that sits 578 metres from above sea level, is known as a limestone hill that exhibits unique formations of stalactites and stalagmites including that shaped like an ostrich and a human prostrating.
Besides all of these, Gua Bewah is also known to be the place of civilisation during the Mesolithic and Neolithic ages.
MESOLITHIC, NEOLITHIC
Gua Bewah is believed to have taken its name from the nearby Bukit Bewah.
A group of archeologists from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), National Museum Department and Terengganu Museum Board that carried out excavation work at the cave had recently discovered the skeletal remains believed to be that of a Neolithic man.
UKM's Malay Civilisation and World Institute Deputy Director Prof Datuk Dr Nik Hasan Shuhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman said other ancient artifacts were also discovered during the three-month excavation work at the cave that began last November.
Among the fossils found were animal bones, goat horns, stone knives, stone hammer as well as 'Sumatralith' tools. Based on these discoveries, Dr Nik Hassan Shuhaimi is confident of the existence of pre-historic civilisation in the cave.
"More research has to be done as more information is needed to provide a more clearer picture on the historical artifacts for the benefit of tourists," he said.
EXCAVATION
Dr Nik Hasan Shuhaimi said his team of researchers had carried out 20 per cent of the excavation work at Gua Bewah.
"I believe more ancient artifacts will be discovered and all of the relics that we have found are kept in the State Museum. We have two more years to carry out the excavation," he said.
He also confirmed that most of the artifacts found came from the Mesolithic and Neolithic era.
"What separated the two eras, for an example is the stone axe. The stone axe that came from the Mesolithic era is crude but that from the Neolithic time exhibited signs of civilisation where the features are finer.
"Both eras had the spear used for hunting. The Neolithic man also in possession of earthern ware," he said.
According to the professor, all of therelics found in Gua Bewah will be documented in 2012.
The State Museum and Terengganu Chapter of the Malaysian Historical Society had carried excavation in July 1976 and among the objects discovered were human skeletal remains, porcelain, stone axe, animal bones and shells of snails.
FACILITIES, TRANSPORT
Visitors who wish to view the cave have to scale 240 stairs before reaching the cave's 'mouth'. They will be greeted by huge 'keladi' (caladium) and chili plants.
Gua Bewah is also equipped with a solar-powered lighting system for the benefit of tourists. The state authorities had also constructed a walkway and the visitors are welcome to bring along their torches as not all parts of the cave are lighted.
Those who are interested to view the cave can hire the services of a tour guide and take a houseboat made available by the Bahtera Petang Houseboat.
The Bahtera Petang Houseboat can accommodate a maximum of 12 people and for a two-day and one night package, the charge is RM280 while for three days/two nights, it is RM470.
Another RM188 is for an additional night.
The Bahtera Petang Houseboat has two rooms. One is with two single beds while in the other, there are two double-deckers. For the six others, they will be given bedding gear to spend the night at the lobby of the houseboat.
The houseboat service is available at Jenagor jetty or Pangkalan Gawi.
FEES
Each of the visitors will be charged RM1 for the entry into the National Park while a camera will be charged RM10. They are advised to obtain permission from the Terengganu Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) prior to making the visit.
"The permit to enter Taman Negara should be submitted at least one week before the date of entering the national park. For those who fail to declare their cameras, they will be compounded," State Perhilitan Director Jamalun Nasir Ibrahim said.
-- BERNAMA
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