via The Sun, 31 October 2023: Lenggong Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a significant archaeological locale in Malaysia, housing the oldest human skeleton found in Southeast Asia. The National Heritage Department and Lenggong District Council are collaborating to preserve and promote the site, which has received RM25 million for conservation efforts. The site is expected to attract more tourists, with a focus on ecotourism and historical exploration.
According to the National Heritage Department (JWN)’s World Heritage Division Director, Mohd Syahrin Abdullah, these assets inherited from the past should be preserved and protected as they serve as reference for future generations to learn about their past, noting that they are proof of the earliest human civilisation in Malaysia and among the oldest in the world.
He was referring to skeletal remains unearthed at Gunung Runtuh, Bukit Kepala Gajah in Lenggong Valley (Hulu Perak), the oldest and almost complete human skeleton discovered in Malaysia and in Southeast Asia, believed to have lived between 10,000 to 11,000 years ago.
Mohd Syahrin who held the position since 2015 said early efforts were undertaken to convince the UNESCO evaluation team for the preservation and protection of Lenggong Valley starting with recognition as well as the mechanism and management plan.
Source: Preserving Lenggong Valley – A treasure trove of Malaysian heritage