Borneo — Schematic

Plagnes, V., Causse, C., Fontugne, M., & Valladas, H. (2003). Cross dating (Th/U and 14C) of calcite covering prehistoric paintings in Borneo. Quaternary Geochronology , 22(12), 1259-1265.

| Feature | Naturalistic Tradition | Schematic Tradition | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Dominant Color | Red (hematite) | Black (charcoal/manganese), dark purple | | Subject | Fauna (bearded pig, banteng), hand stencils | Geometrics (zigzags, dots, concentric circles), anthropomorphic "stick" figures | | Scale | Large (≥50 cm) | Small (typically 5–20 cm) | | Execution | Sprayed, finger-painted, careful outline | Rapid brush stroke, repetitive, stippled | | Superimposition | Always below schematic layers | Above naturalistic (never the reverse) | borneo schematic

The lattice/tapis motif echoes the woven patterns used in ritual cloths that contain protective spiritual power ( semangat ). Placing such patterns on cave walls may have "activated" the shelter as a ritual locus for rainmaking, head-hunting success, or agricultural fertility. Plagnes, V

Study Area: Primary sites include Gua Saleh, Liang Karim, and Gua Tewet (East Kalimantan); Painted Cave (Niah, Sarawak); and Batu Tulug (Sabah). Over 80 rock art sites with schematic components were reviewed. Quaternary Geochronology , 22(12), 1259-1265

(Generated for Academic Purposes) Date: April 14, 2026

The Schematic tradition is markedly distinct from its predecessor (Table 1).