GEORGE TOWN: Penang will soon take delivery of 41 Neolithic skeletons discovered in Guar Kepah, Kepala Batas, that have been away from home for more than a century.
State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said these ancient remains, currently stored in Kuala Lumpur after being repatriated from Leiden in the Netherlands, will be handed back to Penang as early as next month.
Unearthed from Guar Kepah during an excavation by PV van Stein Callenfels in 1936 and then sent to Europe, these skeletons are some of the oldest residents of Penang, and their journey back home symbolises a reconnection with the state’s deep-rooted heritage.
He said the construction of the Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery has been completed, and the state is targeting to open its doors to the public in the first quarter of next year.
"This gallery is a significant initiative by the state government as part of our efforts to enhance the archaeological tourism map for the northern region.
"The remains will first be handed over to Universiti Sains Malaysia for processing, due to the university’s expertise in archaeological research," he told reporters when accepting the newly-completed Automotive Gallery in Macalister Road from state Public Works Department director Datuk Ahmad Nadzri Abdul Majid here on Monday (Dec 22).
Wong added that the gallery was developed under an archaeo-edu-tourism concept and will serve as a centre for research and preservation while offering interactive exhibition spaces, a seminar hall and shell midden sites.
He urged schools and universities to plan study trips once the facility opens.
With the inclusion of a cafe and souvenir kiosks, the facility is designed to draw visitors and create a vibrant atmosphere in the area.
Guar Kepah, which has been gazetted as a national heritage site, has an estimated age of 5,000 to 6,000 years.
Its unique ancient shell middens provide significant insight into early human civilisation, making it one of South-East Asia's most important archaeological sites.
A shell midden is an archaeological site, essentially a prehistoric trash heap, formed by ancient people discarding large quantities of mollusc shells from meals, often mixed with other cultural items like bones, tools, charcoal and ash, revealing details about past diets, behaviours, and environments.
They are found worldwide in coastal or riverine areas.
Wong said the skeletal remains of the Guar Kepah Woman, discovered in 2017, and other discoveries will be on display.
"The gallery will not only honour the past but will serve as a beacon for cultural connection and education in the community," he added.
