| Abstract: |
After 30 years (1987-2017) of archaeological research done by the Centre for Global Archaeological Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, revealed an evidence that both the Peninsula and Sabah- Sarawak are very important areas during the prehistory and early civilization period. Prior to the excavation of Lenggong Valley in 1987, little was known about how prehistoric man made stone tools in Southeast Asia and it had been assumed that the lithic tradition in this part of the world was under developed. Because Lenggong Valley revealed an undisturbed Palaeolithic stone tool workshop sites, the association of artefacts (raw materials, finished as well as unfinished tools, and tool making debris) is clearly visible. This assemblage of artefacts has revealed and made possible the identification and classification of multiple tool types with specialized functions and is evidence of a Palaeolithic lithic technology in Southeast Asia as sophisticated as anywhere else in the world. Furthermore, this in situ stone tool workshop provides a means to understand the cognitive behaviour of the tool makers. Their choice of raw material, an understanding of lithology, and an efficient method of production reveal a rational and systematic approach to tool making. This has made Lenggong Valley Palaeolithic sites as an important global reference for Palaeolithic stone tool making. Meanwhile, research at Sungai Batu complex revealed an evidence of the earliest civilization of Southeast Asia began at 535 BCE. Present data had proven that the ancient society of Sunga Batu had somehow mastered the pyrotechnology to the extent of having a full-fledged iron industry. Such technology had defined the very character of the Ancient Kedah civilization, as a society which economic substructure basing on iron production. In order to export these commodities, brick wharfs were built on both banks of the ancient river of Sungai Batu. The discovery of administrative buildings suggests the large volume of trade, which requires some sort of complex governing system. This clearly portrays the uniqueness of the Ancient Kedah civilization. More research is currently being done to study the impact of the development of the Ancient Kedah Civilization to other contemporary civilizations such as Egypt, Persia, Greeks, Rome and South America, as well as those in Indochina and Java. Therefore, the archaeological research history from 1840s until today showed that Malaysia is very important during the prehistory and civilization period.
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