Telen

Telen is placed in the Mahakam basin of inland Borneo. The Telen River is a tributary of the Mahakam, whose waterways connect the forested interior with the coast. Boats and river routes provided important connections between communities in a landscape of dense vegetation and difficult overland travel.

The wider Mahakam basin was linked to the history of Kutai and to trade between inland producers and downstream centres. Gold, aromatic wood and other goods from Borneo's interior moved through these networks.