Gua Bumo I and II: Two Newly-Discovered Rock Art Sites in Serian, Sarawak, Malaysia Borneo

Rock art traditions on Borneo and in Sarawak are globally recognized as anthropologically significant and unique – modern humans first created rock art on Borneo at least 37.2 ka and engaged in the cultural practice through the mid-twentieth century in Sarawak – yet remain under-researched. This article details the discovery, during 2015 dissertation field research, as well as preliminary observations regarding Gua Bumo I and Gua Bumo II - two new black rock drawing sites in Serian, Sarawak. Gua Bumo I and Gua Bumo II are two proximal cave systems found in Gunung Nambi, Serian, the limestone karst outcrop that hosts the well-known archaeological and rock art site of Gua Sireh. These two new Bornean rock art sites evince rock art making traditions and cultural practices potentially affiliated with Austronesian settlers or indigenous people restricted to Borneo and perhaps locally to Serian, as well as a visual record of the Japanese occupation of Borneo during World War II. Gua Bumo I and Gua Bumo II expand the breadth and depth of relatively young black-pigmented rock art traditions in Sarawak, on Borneo, and throughout Island Southeast Asia. Future research directions include archaeological investigation through excavation and direct dating of Gua Bumo I and Gua Bumo II coupled with systematic reconnaissance survey for additional rock art sites in Sarawak.