03/05/2026
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ค๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ: ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ก
"๐โ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ข๐ก ๐กโ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ."
In 1860, deep in the marshlands of Seberang Perai, a group of Chinese workers stumbled upon what they thought was a literal goldmine: massive, shimmering white mounds stretching toward the sky. In an era of booming construction and sugar plantations, these workers believed they had found a rare source of limestone (kapur).
But as the shovels hit the earth, the "stone" gave way to something else entirelyโmillions of ancient cockle shells, and nestled within them, the silent remains of those who walked this coast over 5,000 years ago.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฏ๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ง๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฅ๐:
Guar Kepah is Malayaโs first recorded archaeological site, yet its story began with a case of mistaken identity. These "Shell Kitchens" werenโt just refuse heaps; they were prehistoric cemeteries where the calcified shells acted as a natural tomb, preserving the secrets of a Hoabinhian-Neolithic maritime community.
๐๐๐๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐๐: ๐๐ซ. ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ก ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฒ๐๐ง๐๐ง
We are privileged to be led by Dr. Suresh Narayanen, a lecturer and researcher at the Centre for Global Archaeological Research (CGAR), USM.
As a specialist in ethnoarchaeology and ancient pottery studies, Dr. Suresh Narayanen brings a unique โhumanโ perspective to the Guar Kepah site. His work explores how pottery found at Guar Kepah was made and used by prehistoric communities, helping us understand their technology, daily life and cultural practices. By studying these ceramics, he also highlights how the traditions and knowledge of ancient Southeast Asian societies continue to connect with aspects of our lives today.
๐๐๐๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐๐: ๐๐ซ. ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ก ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฒ๐๐ง๐๐ง
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM โ 12:00 PM
Fee: RM60 (Inclusive of gallery entry ticket)
Location: Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery, Kepala Batas
https://penanghiddengems.com/products/guar-kepah-archaeology-tour