Santubong Discoveries Shed Light On Sarawak's Earlier Civilisation - Women's Minister

KUCHING, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- Archaeological discoveries at Sungai Jaong, Bongkissam, and Bukit Maras in the Santubong area provide evidence that civilisation in Sarawak developed much earlier than previously believed, said Malaysian Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri.

She said Gunung Santubong is not just a geographical landmark, but also a symbol of an ancient international trading hub, advanced metallurgical skills, and an extensive maritime network dating back to the 7th century AD.

"While other regions were just discovering fire, trading vessels from China, Siam, and Vietnam were already docking at Santubong to trade.

“Our ancestors were already skilled in ironworking, pottery, and trading with the outside world," she said during her speech at the Santubong Heritage Seminar: Exploring Knowledge and Traces of Civilisation at CENTEXS Santubong here today.

Nancy, who is also the Member of Parliament for Santubong, added that the area has the potential to be recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its unique historical and archaeological significance, through four key strategies: local community education, youth engagement, multi-party cooperation, and sustainable development.

"Preserving heritage brings wide benefits. Heritage tourism opens up economic opportunities for local residents, from tour guides, homestays, handicrafts, to community businesses.

"More importantly, it fosters pride in identity and cultural roots, and provides educational value for future generations," she said.

According to a statement from the National Archives of Malaysia, Sarawak branch, the seminar, organised in collaboration with the Sarawak Museum Department, not only serves as a platform to share knowledge and research findings but is also a strategy for heritage conservation and promoting the Santubong heritage site to the public.

Participants will also be taken on a visit to the Santubong Archaeological Park to view the site and the archaeological galleries of Sungai Jaong, Bangkissam-Bukit Maras, the Wallace Centre, and the Crocodile Stone within the park.

-- BERNAMA