Tawali Skull Cave

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

Skull Cave
Locationnear Bilubilu, Alotau, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

Tawali Skull Cave is a karst cave located near Bilubilu, Alotau, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. The cave receives its name from an ancient native practice: when revered or beloved people die, they would be buried upright with a clay pot placed over their head. When the head was able to be separated from the rest of the skeleton, the skull was taken and lain in the cave as a show of respect. Many such "skull caves" exist throughout the country. The cave is located near East Cape, the country's easternmost mainland point.[1] The entrance and descent is rickety and tough to negotiate, and the path leading to the cave is dense, so a guide is necessary to access the cave.[2]

References[edit]