Prehistoric Malaya

Palaeolithic Age

(Early Stone Age)

- 35,000 years ago

- lived in or outside limestone caves near rivers and lakes as protection from

wild animals and bad weather, easier to get food and water

- hunting and collecting, gathering wild

plants, nuts and roots

- killed wild animals esp. small animals such as

birds and reptiles

- as weapons improved, captured and killed

larger animals like deers

- Used simple and crude stone tools, roughly shaped for hunting and to

protect themselves. Also used tools made from wood and bamboo

learned how to start fire

- nomadic way of life, moved from place to place in search of food

- built shelters only if sufficient food is found

- shelters framework of branches, elephant

tusks, trees and leaves, fur or hides

- found in Tampan Estuary Perak, Niah Cave Sarawak and Tingkayu Sarawak

MESOLITIK

Also known as Hoabinhan culture because of similarity because of tools

- 11,000 years ago

more advanced than paleolithic people

- lived in caves, along river banks, lakes and seas

- food mainly fish and shellfish

- might have cooked their food with wood from fires started naturally

- started farming, kept wild dogs for hunting

- tools from pebbles and stones. Also used wood and bones. Became more refined

- tools sharp for cutting, scraping and chopping

made arrow, saw, axes, knives, beliung,

- started to make utensils out of earth

- found in Cha Cave Kelantan,

Kecil Cave Pahang, Niah Caves Sarawak, Kepah

Cave Kedah, Jenderam Hilir Selangor, Madai Cave,

Sabah, Bukit Chuping Perlis, Gua Debu Kedah, Gua Gomantong Sabah

built boats (perahus)

engaged in trading using ‘barter system’

sold sea products like fish, snails, corals

damar, rattan, incense sticks (jungle products)

Made accessories such as bangles

Art and culture – pottery and ceramic vessel making. Pots decorated with painting with...