After being away for approximately a century, the remains of 41 prehistoric people discovered at the Guar Kepah archaeological site in Seberang Prai, Malaysia, will soon be brought back home from the Netherlands. The curator of Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI), Nurul Amira Md Isa, expressed the fragility of the skeletons, stating that any mishandling could cause them to break. The Guar Kepah site, considered the first recorded archaeological site in Malaysia and estimated to be between 5,000 and 6,000 years old, is unique because it contains shell middens, which are prehistoric garbage dump sites. Temperature, humidity, ultraviolet light, microbial life, and certain gases pose risks to the ancient remains. Therefore, extensive procedures and testing are being conducted to ensure the safe repatriation of the skeletons.
The preparation for the journey home involves providing suitable boxes or carrying cases that comply with international and national regulations to protect each fragment of the skeletons during transportation. The remains were excavated by British archaeologists in Guar Kepah between 1851 and 1934 before being sent to the National Natuurhistorisch Museum in Leiden, Netherlands for safekeeping. The return of these skeletons is of great scientific value as they hold secrets about the prehistory of Penang and could provide insights into the development of mankind in the region.
The state government has long been working to repatriate the remains and a delegation led by Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy went to the Netherlands in March to discuss the repatriation process. Once the skeletons are back in Malaysia, additional measures will be taken to ensure their preservation. The Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery, currently under construction, will have strict specifications including special storage and exhibition areas with 24/7 lighting, temperature, and humidity controls. The protection of the skeletons from potential harm caused by chemicals, microorganisms, and the tropical climate is a priority.
The repatriation process is under the purview of the governments of Malaysia and the Netherlands. The Foreign Ministry, together with its Dutch counterparts, is handling the documentation process. The completion of the Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery is expected in the first quarter of the following year, after which the skeletons may be brought straight to the gallery. The Chief Minister Incorporated will be responsible for the management of the site and gallery as well as the funds needed for their establishment.
Further analysis of the remains will be conducted to gain insight into the lives of the ancient people. Depending on their condition, some of the skeletons may be exhibited in the gallery. As for the 42nd skeletal remains found in Guar Kepah in April 2017, known as ‘Penang Woman,’ it is currently under the care of Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Global Archaeology Research Centre. If conditions permit, the Penang Woman may also be displayed at the Guar Kepah gallery. Lastly, notable mention is made of ‘Perak Man,’ the country’s oldest prehistoric man, whose remains were discovered in 1991 and are considered the most complete human skeleton found in Southeast Asia.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
