Chow (second left) being briefed on the exhibition at the gallery. — Photo: Buletin Mutiara
THE Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery in Kepala Batas, Penang, is set to open soon, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim scheduled to preside over the ceremony.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said construction on the gallery began in 2022, with both the exterior and interior works already completed.
“On behalf of the Penang government, I would like to thank the Federal Government for the RM10mil allocation,” Chow said.
“The project is important for the conservation and preservation of our artefacts.
“The radiocarbon dating done on the historical items here showed that they are over 5,000 years old.
“We have to preserve them for future generations,” he said as reported in Buletin Mutiara.
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.
Once the gallery is officially opened, Chow said the state government and NCIA would 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, and then to Lenggong Valley in Perak.
“This has the potential to further boost tourism in Penang, especially among foreigners who are interested in exploring archaeological sites,” he said.
Bharathi announced that efforts were underway to repatriate 41 human skeletal artefacts from the Netherlands.
“The skeletons, excavated by the British archaeologists between 1851 and 1934, are at the National Natural History Museum in Leiden,” she said.
The Penang government, together with the National Heritage Department, Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and Foreign Ministry are working together on the repatriation.
Once repatriated, humidity tests will be conducted to determine whether the skeletons, excavated from three sites in Guar Kepar, can be safely displayed in the gallery, or if replicas should be used instead.
This also applies to the ‘Penang Woman’ skeletons.
“We are being meticulous about this, as it is essential to preserve and conserve these artefacts properly,” Bharathi said.
The gallery is a double-storey structure built on nearly one hectare.
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.
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 a surau, cafe and souvenir kiosks.
