Explore The History Of Early Man In The Lenggong Valley

By Muna Khalid KUALA KANGSAR (Perak, Malaysia), Nov 9 (Bernama) -- The Lenggong Valley in Peninsular Malaysia's northern state of Perak, which will be commemorating its recognition as a world heritage site this Saturday (Nov 10), still holds many remnants of the oldest pre-historic settlement in the country. The human civilisation appeared in the Lenggong Valley two million years ago and it is the place where one of the oldest human civilisation outside the African continent once lived. The Lenggong Valley has captured the attention and interest of the world's archaeological community since the discovery of the Perak Man's skeletal remains, a stone age (Paleolithic) tool and other ancient treasures. On June 30, UNESCO recognised the Lenggong Valley in Hulu Perak as a world heritage site, making Malaysia a popular destination for tourists as well as archaeologists. The Lenggong Valley is 953rd on the World Heritage List and is the fourth site in Malaysia to have earned the recognition after the southern Melaka Historical City and northern George Town in Penang, the Gunung Mulu National Park, in Sarawak state and Taman Kinabalu, in Sabah state. COME AND SEE THE LENGGONG VALLEY'S HERITAGE The Lenggong Valley, located about 80 kilometres from Ipoh, has opened its doors to the public. The National Heritage Department's Director for the Central Zone, Mohd Syahrin Abdullah, said that the Lenggong Valley Archaeology Gallery is open to the public. In fact, it is the first gallery in the country to exhibit pre-historic artefacts. Apart from the artefacts, the Lenggong Valley Archaeology Gallery also showcases different types of stones and rocks discovered in Hulu Perak. "Ever since the UNESCO recognised the Lenggong Valley as a world heritage site, the number of visitors has been increasing. "After gaining recognition from the UNESCO, the number of visitors to the Lenggong Valley Archaeology Gallery has increased by 150 percent, on an average," he said. According to Mohd Syahrin, the National Heritage Department is fully responsible for the protection and conservation of the site. All development programmes and promotions aimed at attracting visitors are conducted based on a set of guidelines, to preserve the world heritage. ARCHAEOLOGICAL TREASURE TROVE Mohd Syahrin told Bernama that excavations and comprehensive research in the Lenggong Valley have been conducted since 1987, for a period of 20 years. Numerous pre-historic artefacts have been discovered, including thousands of stone tools, pottery and copper implements, at several sites that were once inhabited by humans during the Paleolithic period. He pointed out that among the important findings are the skeletal remains of the Perak Man which are 10,000 years old. They have been found in Gua Gunung Runtuh (Cave of Collapsed Mountain) at Bukit Kepala Gajah (Elephant's Head Hill), Kampung (Village) Gelok, here. "Another important site that has been identified is Kota Tampan. It was once a yard to make stone tools and it enlightens us on the stone tool making capabilities of the people who lived during that period," he said. PERAK MAN'S BACKGROUND Mohd Syahrin noted that the Perak Man is one of the few skeletal remains of the early human civilisation that is almost complete. "The Perak Man refers to the skeletal remains of a man who was 154 cm tall. He was discovered buried in a foetal position. With him were 2,878 snails (siput sedut) with tapering ends of their shells cut open, an indication that there were ready to be consumed. "Remnants of grilled animal bones and stone tools were also discovered with the skeletal remains," he said. Further investigation revealed that the Perak Man suffered from genetic abnormalities and at the time of his death, he was estimated to be between 40 to 45 years, way beyond the lifespan of most people then. The customary burial accorded to the Perak Man indicated that he had an important role in the ancient society. It also indicated that the primitive community in Lenggong had a reasonably advanced civilisation. COMMEMORATING THE WORLD HISTORICAL SITE An event to commemorate the Lenggong Valley as a world heritage site will take place at Dataran Lenggong this Saturday. The event is organised by the Ministry of Information Communication and Culture, with the support from the National Heritage Department and the Perak State Government. It is estimated that more than 5,000 people - locals, students and undergraduates, individuals in historical and heritage societies and tour operators - will gather at the venue to commemorate the significant event. Information Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim and Perak Chief Minister Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir are expected to attend the event. -- BERNAMA