Stephen Chia Ming Soon
Cultural Change, Interactions and Maritime Exchanges on the Eastern Coast of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
ABSTRACT
Archaeological surveys and excavations in Sabah, over the last 50 years or so, had discovered prehistoric sites with metal artefacts such as metal tools, pottery, shell ornaments, glass beads, jar burials and wood coffins. This paper discusses the various issues and problems on the Metal Period in Sabah, in particular its origin, dating, technology, function, interaction, trade and exchange from the eastern coast of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. The present archaeological data suggests that this period is a continuum of cultural changes, interactions and maritime exchanges from the earlier Neolithic period and that metal-working technology and culture in Sabah were not indigenous but was introduced in different areas at different times as early as the 2nd millennium BP.