Hidden stories in shells

Vital evidence: Filepic of USM archaeological researchers working at the Guar Kepah archaeological site in Kampung Guar Kepah, Bumbung Lima in Kepala Batas.

VITAL information on Penang’s pre-historic days, dating back to the Stone Age, may lie in the state’s only prehistoric site in Seberang Prai — Guar Kepah, says a Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) archaeologist.

Professor Datuk Dr Mokhtar Saidin (pic) said Guar Kepah contains ancient shell middens or mounds sitting on sandy ridges, which is why it is also referred to as Guar ‘Bukit’ Kepah (Guar Kepah Hill) or Bukit Cangkerang.