Digging up clues to the past

Prof Mokhtar (right) showing the visitors the replica of the prehistoric remains of Penang Woman at the Guar Kepah Archaeological Site in Kepala Batas, Penang. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

A GROUP of 35 people, including 18 Japanese children, had first-hand experience of an archaeologist’s work during a visit to the Guar Kepah Archaeological site in Kepala Batas, Penang.

Accompanied by their teachers, parents and guardians, the children aged between eight and 14, got their hands dirty while playing with ‘specimens’ at the excavation site.

All excited about being archaeologists for the day, the children went about digging, sifting sand and making delightful discoveries.

One of the children, Aoi Suzuki, 14, said she was thrilled to find the shell midden site in Guar Kepah similar to one that she had visited in Japan.

“I feel privileged and happy to visit the archaeological site in Guar Kepah, which makes me want to know more about it, ” she said when met at the site recently.

Aoi, a student from the Penang Japanese School in George Town, said she admired the work of archaeologists, who are able to carefully document their findings.

The students, who were split into three groups, spent almost two hours at the site.

The pupils digging and dusting ‘relics’ during the simulated excavation activity.

Earlier, they were welcomed by renowned archaeologist Prof Datuk Dr Mokhtar Saidin, who gave a briefing on the place and on-going activities.

The first group was shown the replica of Penang Woman, followed by question-and-answer time with Prof Mokhtar.

The second group took part in a drawing and colouring session, while the third group got their hands dirty by carrying out a simulated ‘archaeological’ work at a specific site.

Each group later rotated among themselves to get involved in all three activities.

Another child, Tsubasa Ueno, 11, said he had always wanted to visit such a site, and was happy to be given the chance to do so.

“I asked many questions today, but I still feel there is a lot more to discover here, ” he said.

Aspiring to become a scientist someday, Tsubasa vowed to return to Guar Kepah when the gallery was ready.

One of the adults in the group, Harumi Mizhushima, 55, said the purpose of the visit was to expose the children to other cultures.

“This visit is a good opportunity for the children to learn more about Malaysian culture and history, ” she said.

Harumi, who has been living in Malaysia for the past 25 years, applauded the state for opening Guar Kepah to the people through such programmes.

Another group engrossed in a colouring session before moving on to the next activity.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI) Archaeological Unit curator Nurul Amira Md Isa said the programmes at the archaeological site were mainly related to the local community.

“Our focus is more on student groups and the local community living nearby.

“The site has also become a reference site for students who are involved in practical and archaeological work, ” she said.

Since the site was opened to the public in 2018, several programmes had been organised to engage with the local community there.

“But, we had to stop all activities when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in March last year and the site was closed for almost a year before reopening recently.”

The visit was arranged by Forever Travel Sdn Bhd to educate expatriate families with children on the Neolithic prehistoric era in the country.

Its commercial executive Shaun Chiam said the children got a chance to learn about how archaeologists work and at the same time, understand more about the country’s culture and tradition.

“The most important thing was for the children to appreciate the history of another country and increase their knowledge in preserving and protecting sites like this, ” he said.