Deciphering anthropogenic signals in tropical rainforests during the mid-late Holocene:

A multi-proxy investigation from the Kelabit Highlands of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

Jones S.E. & Hunt C.O.

The Cultured Rainforest ProjectProject members: Prof. Graeme Barker, (Principle investigator-McDonald Institute, Cambridge), Dr.Lindsay Lloyd-Smith, Dr Huw Barton, Dr Monica Janowski, Prof. Chris Gosden, Dr Lucy Farr, Dr Samantha Jones, Dr Ian Ewart, Dr Chris Hunt, Dr. Borbala Nyiri, Ipoi Datan,, Dr. Dan Britton, Dr Ben Davenport, Dr. Beth Upex, Henry, Reedy, Dr. Efrosyni Boutsikas, Jeffrey (Tadun Bala), Dr Rose Ferraby

AimsTo investigate the long term and present day interactions

between people and the rainforest in the interior Highlands of Borneo, with an aim:

“To better understand past and present agricultural and hunter-gatherer lifestyles and landscapes”

Fig 1: Map of Borneo showing the location of Bario, Pa’ Dalih and Pa’ Buda

Site Location: Bario, Pa’Dalih and Pa’Buda

Fig 2: Bario from the air Fig 3: Bario-Core site

Fig 4: Pa’Dalih from a hill Fig 5: Map of Pa’Dalih

Figs 6-7: Prof Graeme Barker & Dr Huw Barton at Pa’Buda

Present day Cultivation and arboreal Practices

Fig 8: Forest clearance in Bario Fig 9: Dinner plate leaves, Pa’Dalih Fig 11 Ginger in BarioFig 10: Rice and a sago grove

Figs 12, 13, 14, &15 : The Kelabit. Photos taken from Monica Janowski’s “Forest Source of Life” of which most of the photos are from Tom Harrisson, taken in the 1950’s

Methodologies

1. Anthropology: Methods used included participant observation, and the gathering of oral histories and stories

2. Archaeological excavations:In 2007 test trenches were set up 2008-2010 a selection of the more promising sites were investigated in more detail.

3. Palaeoecological analysis:Multi-proxy analysis from 6 sites (Ba, PDH 212, PDH 223, PDH CO1 and BPG). 1) Pollen 2) Phytoliths 3) Lithology 4) LOI 5) Mag Sus 6) C1414 & 7) Other Palynomorphs

Palaeoecological Results

6 Sites analysed: Northern & Southern KH

• 50,000 year environmental record

• 7000-6000 year potential anthropogenic record

• 3000 year record of pronounced anthropogenic

signatures

Hiatus’s (Ba-1 & PDH 212)Both in the Northern and Southern Kelabit Highlands

Fig 16 : Bario Ba-1 hiatusFig 17 : Pa’ Dalih PDH 212 hiatus

Potential Anthropogenic RecordPa’ Buda: 7000-6000 cal BP

• Human Disturbance 6000 cal BP?

• Major burning & destabilisation of

catchment.

• Rise in palm trees & fruit trees.

• Eugeissona Utilis is not present

• The fruit trees could not be

identified to genera/species.

• Not all produce edible fruit.

• Only one burning event?

BUT

Fig 18: Pollen Summary from Pa’Buda

Pronouned Anthropogenic Signals

In the Northern and Southern KH from 3000 cal BP

Anthropogenic disturbance in Pa´DalihDespite gaps during the Holocene:• Sharp increase in open-ground • Lower diversity of open ground• c. 2800 cal BP spores are also

more pronounced.

Fig 19: PDH 212 pollen summary Fig 20: Pa’Dalih airfield and buffalo

Arboreal practices (AP) 2800-2300 cal BP

AP of Eugeissona: 2800-2300 cal BP in Pa

´Dalih 1300 cal BP in Bario &

Palmae phytoliths

Fig 21: Bario pollen and phytolith results

Fig 23: Eugeissona pollen and Palmae phytolith images

Fig 22: PDH 223 pollen results

Stenochlaena: Stenochlaena Palustris is an edible fern.

Figs 24, 25, 26 & 27: Tr.2 -RM Taa Payo: Stone pounders, iron blade and glass beads. 1700 cal BP

Posthole. C14 samples submitted

Stone pounder Iron blade

Palm starch recovered from pounder

Rice Cultivation Experimental forms of rice

cultivation in Pa´Dalih 1800 cal BP 1 double peaked glume phytolith 2 Oryza bulliforms

Oryza similar to morphological features of bulliform types in the top sediments.

Fig 28: PDH 223 Phytolith results

Fig 29: Rice bulliform images

Rice cultivationEvidence for rice cultivation, does not become pronounced until: 500-400 cal BP in Pa’Dalih (PDH212 & PDH 223).

No evidence as yet from Bario

Fig 30: PDH 212 Phytolith results

Fig. 31, 32, 33. Menatuh Long Kelit

•Stone jar burial•Charred rice in base of foundation fill•240±40 cal BP (charcoal sample)

Summary: Archaeological and Palaeoecological findings combined from the Kelabit Highlands

Present Domesticated rice phytoliths 500-400 cal BP Charcoal and domesticated rice phytoliths more pronounced.

600-200 cal BP Probable increase in Megalithic activity. Re-use of older megalith: Association with rice.

c.1000 cal BP Earliest megaliths ??

1400 cal. BP Pre-Megalithic settlement (Long Diit)

1700 cal BP Riverside settlement, iron, beads, stone (sago?) pounders (Taa Payo)

1800 cal BP Domesticated rice phytolith identified (Experimental cultivation?)

2800 cal BP Likely cultivation-manipulation of the sago palm Eugeissona:Pa’Dalih

3000 cal BP Disturbance in Pa´Dalih. Anthropogenic (likely)

3000 cal BP ?? Rock shelter occupation ?? (Lepo Batu)

4000 cal BP Charcoal from river terraces – evidence for occupation ?? unlikely

6000 cal BP Potential Human clearance-arboreal practices of palms-fruit trees??

Thank youFunded by the Arts and Humanities

Research Council AHRCLandscapes and Environment Programme:

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/landscape/research/largergrants/theculturedrainforest.aspx