Skull Hill, Malaysia

Skull Hill is an archaeological site near Semporna that rises 182 meters above sea level and contains a volcanic rock shelter within an extinct volcano opening about 2 kilometers wide. The hill's formation creates a natural protected area where evidence of ancient habitation was preserved over thousands of years.

Excavations in 1994 and 1995 uncovered numerous artifacts including pottery fragments, stone tools, and food remains dating back about 3000 years. The findings demonstrate that this location served as both a dwelling place and a workshop for ancient populations over an extended period.

The site reveals how ancient communities around the Andaman Sea stayed connected through pottery that was made and traded here. The ceramic pieces found in the soil tell the story of these long-distance connections between distant maritime settlements.

The climb to the summit involves 610 wooden steps with four rest stops along the way that provide information about the site's history. The route is straightforward to follow, and the rest areas allow you to take in views while learning about what was found here.

The site contains more than 6 million prehistoric pottery fragments, making it Southeast Asia's largest source of Neolithic ceramic production evidence. The sheer volume of these pieces reveals that this was a major production center operating over many generations.