Malaysia's limestone hills and caves are time capsules of ancient history


There are 18 sites in Perak's Kinta Valley – including limestone hills, waterfalls and cave temples – that have been declared a part of the National Geopark. — Filepic/The Star

In October 2020, Malaysian scientists made a thrilling find: The fossilised tooth of an extinct elephant called a Stegodon, estimated to be between 30,000 and 80,000 years old, was unearthed in a limestone cave in Gopeng, Perak.

The news made the front pages of local newspapers and online news sites. It was an important discovery due to its rarity. The last big find was in 2014 in rural Pahang, where palaeontologists discovered the fossil of the fish-eating Spinosauridae dinosaur, most likely from the Cretaceous period between 65 million and 145.5 million years ago.

The Star Christmas Special Promo: Save 35% OFF Yearly. T&C applies.

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.02/month

Billed as RM 96.20 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
fossils , palaeontology , history

Next In Living

A Peruvian festive feast: A Peruvian chef shares his family Christmas recipes
An Italian chef reveals festive staples on his Christmas tables at home
How to make the most delicious cut-out Christmas cookies
The Toy Box: Last minute Christmas gift ideas for the whole family
Enjoy the feast, skip the bloating
US non-profit creates housing and social spaces for adults with disabilities
Sunny Side Up: Asking for help isn’t weak, it reveals our humanity
Demand for exotic pets drove wildlife crime to a record high in 2025: Interpol
Nuts over pistachios: Boosted by the 'Dubai chocolate' craze, Argentina bets on this nut
Senegal baskets are hot, but women weavers ask where's the money?

Others Also Read