BUTTERWORTH – A unique set of prehistoric human skeletal remains unearthed from the Guar Kepah archaeological site near here is returning home to Penang after it was first discovered more than 150 years ago and taken to the Netherlands.
The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) disclosed that the 41 remains, which were unearthed by Western archaeologists between the period of 1863 and 1936, would be shipped to its place of origin soon.
The skeletal remains would be exhibited at the Guar Kepah archaeological site in Seberang Prai upon arrival from Europe by next year.
Motac said in a statement that there was a symbolic handing over ceremony between the Netherlands’ government and the Penang state government, which was led by the Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy.
The ceremony was held in the Dutch Education, Culture and Science Ministry’s office in The Hague recently.
Among those present were the Malaysian Ambassador to the Netherlands Datuk Nadzirah Osman and Penang executive councillor Yeoh Soon Hin.
Representing the Dutch was Gerbert Kunst, who is the ministry’s international policy director.
According to reports, the Guar Kepah site was the first archaeological site to experience field work by Western archaeologists between 1863 and 1936.
They unearthed 41 pieces of skeletal remains, believed to be around 4,000 years old.
The remains were previously kept at the Natural Biodiversity Centre in Leiden, the Netherlands.
The efforts to bring home the skeletal remains were headed by the National Heritage Department after a formal application by the Penang government.
Motac registered its gratitude to the Dutch authorities for fast-tracking the approval after going through the legislative and diplomatic channels.
The remains are expected to return next year for storage at the centre in Guar Kepah.
Motac is also confident that upon its return to Penang, the collection would be a major attraction for the industry, especially in the area of archaeological tourism.
It is also in line to be a must-see for tourists during the Visit Malaysia Year series, which is scheduled to make a comeback in 2025. – The Vibes, March 29, 2023
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