Mysterious Coffin Engraved Pattern of Flora and Fauna

Wooden coffins in many several caves along the Kinabatangan River to Kuala Kuamut still a lot of questions and mysteries that have not been answered. This is because there is no evidence of any concerted parties can determine the truth behind the story. There is a story quite different, probably because of the stories associated with the coffin was already old and no any party that can remember the facts correctly.

There are hundreds of old coffins which were believed to be made from Belian and Merbau wood or other hard wood found in several caves in the district of Kinabatangan, one of the caves is in the Agop Batu Tulug in Kampung Batu Puteh, Kinabatangan that is now the Museum Site since the July 6, 1996 by the Department of Sabah Museum.

There are more than 100 wooden coffin in the museum Agop Batu Tulug believed made of from Belian and Merbau wood. The actual age of the old coffin was found by carbon dating study (Carbon dating) some 934 years old while Agop Batu Tulug estimated age of 20 to 25 million years.

According to Tom and Barbara Harrisson in their book entitled "The Prehistory of Sabah" hundreds of wooden coffins can also be found in Agop Miasias of Sungai Lokan, Agop Gomantong, Tempadong, Madai, Baturong, Agop Kala Bugir, Agop Sapa Tareng, Agop Sarupi and several places around. "Agop" in the language of the Sungai tribe who occupied most of the Kinabatangan means "cave".

When found, the coffin in the caves scattered all over the place and some are still intact, while others have started to decay, are separated from the body and the coffin lid. But nevertheless still in a state of well structured.

There are coffins in the caves are in similar shape. The carving is very popular in the coffin for the heads of tempadau or buffalo, crocodiles, snakes, lizards and birds. But there are very interesting piece on the top of the coffin (coffin cover).

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Batu Tulug contained a thousand ancient mystery

Located in Kampung Batu Putih, as far as 41 km from the town of Kota Kinabatangan. Agop Batu Tulug is a 39 meters high limestone cliff and some formed Labang limestone aged 20 -25 million years. Agop means cave in "Orang Sungai" language. There are three main caves, the agop suriba (below) on the forest floor, lintaga (middle) and sawat (top) each with a height of 12-15 m.

There are caves on the middle and at the top which contains more than 100 old carved wooden coffin 200-250 years old, guarded by bats and swifts. You can also see the village of Batu Putih from here.

That coffin is unique where inscribed a various animal characters. Some of the inscriptions associated with animism belief of "Orang Sungai" but there were also a report saying that the coffins were Chinese whom have occupied this area with the discovery of Chinese artifacts with the remains.

Date Opened

Every day starts around 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Admission Fees

MyKad holders RM 2.00 (Adult)

Other RM15.00

Uniform student, children under 12 years old, the disabled and senior citizens -  will be allowed in for free.

How to get there?

Driving to Batu Tulug took an hour and a half from Sandakan, while 45 minutes from Lahad Datu. You can drive yourself or use the services of tour operators.

Contacts

Tel: +6089565145 (Ticket counter), +6089551062 (Office)

Laman Web: http://www.mzm.sabah.gov.my/agoptulug/cyber_tulugmuseum.htm

E-mel: muzium.sabah@sabah.gov.my

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