ANGKOR WAT in Cambodia and Borobudur in Indonesia are known the world over as some of the most culturally significant and oldest sites of civilisation in Southeast Asia.
As such, any discovery that pre-dates the emergence of either would be both historically and culturally significant.
It was claimed recently that a Buddha statue found in Kedah actually predates both Borobudur and Angkor Wat. Is this true?
VERDICT:
TRUE
Yes, this is in fact true as a Buddha statue dating back to the Eighth or Ninth Century was found in the Bukit Choras Archaeological Heritage Site in Yan, Kedah
Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry secretary-general Datuk Roslan Abdul Rahman said this discovery by a research team from the Global Archaeological Research Centre (PPAG), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is an archaeology tourism asset and attraction for tourists to Kedah.
He added that an exhibition will be held after USM completes a thorough study of the relic.
"We have not decided whether such discoveries will be exhibited at a selected museum or if Bukit Choras will be developed as a new archaeotourism product," said Roslan.
"The discovery is older than Angkor Wat and Borobudur. This is interesting for us,” he added at a press conference on the discovery held at the PPAG, USM here on Wednesday (June 26).
He said the local research team led by Dr Nasha Rodziadi Khaw involved collaboration between the National Heritage Department (JWN) and USM.
Roslan then added that this research had been ongoing from April 21 to May 21 this year.
Meanwhile, Roslan said that phase three of the archaeological research revealed a building with its north and west walls evident, and added that this clearly shows that the main structure of the Bukit Choras temple has unique architecture.
He said an important discovery at the site was the human-sized Buddha statue made of stucco - a mixture of lime, water and sand - found at the temple’s north wall.
Roslan said that this is different from the sculptures found during Phase I and Phase II of the archeological research.
"A complete statue was found with its head and iconographic features such as robes, facial expressions and clothing clearly visible. Additionally, a Sanskrit inscription was found carved on the statue, and fragments of earthen pottery were also discovered," said Roslan.
"As a safety measure and to do further research, the relic has been taken out of the Bukit Choras site and temporarily placed in the PPAG USM laboratory for comprehensive conservation work," he added.
Roslan said that thus far, three inscriptions containing Buddhist mantras have been found at Bukit Choras.
He then said that the latest discoveries at the site opened up space for a new interpretation of the geo-strategic position of the Kedah Tua civilisation and its importance in Southeast Asia's maritime trade routes.
