TWO archaeological sites in Sabah have been proposed as a tourist attractions by the Tourism and Culture Ministry. 

The Mansuli excavation site and Samang Buat cave in the Mansuli Valley in Lahad Datu are under consideration to be part of a new “archaeotourism” programme.  

Archaeotourism, or archaeological tourism, focuses on visiting ancient sites and historical areas. 

The programme will come under a collaboration between Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the Sabah Sustainability Volunsharing Programme (SSVP). 

Mansuli Valley, 30km from Lahad Datu town, is the site of ancient inhabitants that can be traced back to between 235,000 and 11,000 years ago. 

It is also the oldest valley in Borneo prehistory. 

“The archaeological findings in Mansuli Valley has contributed to a deeper understanding of the Palaeolithic culture, especially in early human migration to Borneo and how they adaptated to their environment,” Sabah Tourism and Culture Ministry director Ag Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar said. 

UMS associate professor in tourism and SSVP co-founder Dr Awangku Hassanal Bahar Pengiran Bagul said archaeotourism usually integrated educational and recreational activities, such as sightseeing, hiking and spelunking. 

“We are very excited to learn that Lahad Datu has the oldest prehistoric site in Borneo and to see excavation sites and caves once inhabited by prehistoric society. 

“I think by promoting archaeotourism, visitors can enjoy learning about Borneo’s heritage and safeguard it by promoting conservation of this site,” he said. 

The ministry and SSVP had previously collaborated to promote Tagal ecotourism and volcano tourism. – November 21, 2018.