Ancient skeletons and drawings up to 10,000 years old were found in Bukit Keteri and Gua Semadong in Perlis.
Archaeologists from the Department of National Heritage, or JWN, uncovered the prehistoric findings yesterday during an excavation, which included skeletal fragments and drawings that those from the ancient civilization used to communicate with.
“Based on previous studies done around the caves in Perlis, the skeletal fragments found in Bukit Keteri can be estimated to be between 5,000 and 10,000 years old,” JWN spokesperson Mohd Azmi Mohd Yusof told reporters.
The drawings were believed to be from the protohistory period, a time before writing was developed by the community there. The drawings have Hindu and Buddhist influences estimated to date back between the fifth and 10th centuries.
“Caves in Perlis, especially in Bukit Chuping, Bukit Tunku Lembu, Bukit Ngulang, Bukit Kerengga and Bukit Changkul were used as settlements and funeral grounds for Palaeolithic and Neolithic communities based on the discovery of artifacts such [as] stone tools and earthenware,“ Mohd Azmi later added.
These new findings would reinforce previous discoveries that confirmed Perlis as a settlement during prehistoric times.
Human skeleton fragments. Photo: Perlis Communications Department/Facebook
Human skull fragment. Photo: Perlis Communications Department/Facebook
An archeologist points to a drawing in Gua Semadong. Photo: Perlis Communications Department/Facebook
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