Day 2 started on a very
positive note. There were excitement in the air and this could be clearly seen
on the faces of the participants. Well, the simple but delicious breakfast of
fried bee hoon (thin rice noodle) helped too!
Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mokhtar
Saidin was already waiting for us when we reached the complex at about 8am. He
brought with him about a dozen assistants, comprising of his Master and PhD
archaeology students and volunteers from the local community. They would be
assisting us in the excavation works. The Professor’s involvement and his
untiring devotion to the Sungai Batu archaeological works since 2006 were
clearly reflected by the successful findings and the preservation of the sites.
Semi permanent structures are being built on top of each and every site to
avoid degradation and deterioration of the artefacts while security officers
are stationed at the complex to guard the place at all times.
A short technical
briefing was given by Prof. Mokhtar followed by the do’s and don’t’s by a
senior assistant. We were each given a set of tools that consists of a small
shovel, a mallet, a clinical mask, a dustpan, a paintbrush, a chisel, an ice pick,
a rubbish basket and a face towel.
We finished our
excavation works for the day at 4.30pm and were told that the unfinished works
would be continued the following day by ‘the regulars’, who are mostly locals
trained and paid to do the job.
That night, after a
simple dinner, we convened under the moonlight and had a casual talk with the
Prof. The topic was the history of Lembah Bujang as described in the various
transcripts and archaic references from the ancient Chinese, Indian and Arabian
traders. The popularity of Lembah Bujang as one of the world’s earliest iron
smelting industry and iron exports was inscribed in the history. The high
quality of the iron was mentioned in the Arabic and Indian transcripts as being
used to make horse carriages and swords. It was a very enlightening talk and
Q&A session and Prof. Mokhtar, being the expert in his field, seemed to
enjoy answering all questions posed to him.
On the last day at
Sungai Batu complex, we were given a two hour personalized guided-tour of the
whole complex by the Prof. himself. The complex comprises of administration
buildings, iron smelting furnaces, jetties and stuppas, with the oldest being
one 487BC concrete jetty. Can you imagine the ancient Kedah civilization
already having bricks industry back then!
The highlight of the 3
day event was the closing ceremony officiated by the Honorable Menteri Besar of
Kedah, Dato’ Seri Mukhriz Mahathir. In his speech, he promised to give his full
support to the Sungai Batu Archaeological Complex in terms of promotions and
getting due financial assistance from the federal government. It was a big
kenduri-like (locals get-together) atmosphere where traditional dishes were
prepared for all to savour. The presence of the likeable VVIP also helped to
add to the merriment of the event where he was seen mingling and shaking hands
with both the locals and the participants.
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