THE Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery in Kepala Batas is expected to officially open its doors soon, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim scheduled to officiate the ceremony.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow revealed that construction on the gallery commenced in 2022, and both the exterior and interior works, have now been successfully completed.
“On behalf of the Penang government, I would like to say thank you to the Federal Government for the RM10 million allocation for this project.
“The Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery project is important for the conservation and preservation of our artefacts and historical findings. The radiocarbon dating done on the historical findings here showed that they are over 5,000 years old.
“Thus, we have to preserve these historical discoveries for future generations,” Chow told Buletin Mutiara when he visited the gallery today.
Also present were Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI) general manager Datin Bharathi Suppiah, Chief Minister’s special coordinating officer Lay Hock Peng, Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) chief executive officer Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) councillor Ooi Yong Wooi.
According to Chow, once the gallery is officially open, the state government and NCIA will consider setting up a trail of archaeological sites, connecting key areas in the northern region.
“This gallery will be part of an archaeological trail that will start from Gua Kelam in Perlis, to Sungai Batu and Lembah Bujang in Kedah, culminating in the Lenggong Valley in Perak.
“Penang has always been a leader when it comes to attracting tourists from afar and near. This site has the potential to further boost tourism, specifically foreigners, who often have an interest in exploring archaeological sites,” he said.
Bharathi also announced that efforts are now underway for the repatriation of the 41 human skeletons from the Netherlands.
“The skeletons, excavated by the British, are stored at the National Natuurhistorisch Museum in Leiden,” she said.
“The Penang government, together with the National Heritage Department, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Foreign Ministry, are working together on the repatriation process to Malaysia, and back to Penang.
Once repatriated, humidity tests will be conducted to determine whether the skeletons can be safely displayed in the gallery instead of using replicas. This also applies to the ‘Penang Woman’ skeletons.
“We are being very meticulous about this, as it is essential to preserve and conserve these artefacts properly,” Bharathi noted.
The Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery is a double-storey minimalist structure built on nearly one hectare of land. The project, implemented by CMI in collaboration with NCIA, features an interactive exhibition space that allows visitors to visualise early human settlements in the area.
In addition to the exhibition space, the gallery includes an excavation site where the ‘Penang Woman’ skeleton was discovered, alongside displays of shell middens. A research centre, laboratory, and storage space for artefacts have also been incorporated into the facility.
Visitors will have access to various amenities such as toilets, a surau, a café, and souvenir kiosks.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud