Prehistoric people lived in the land we now call Malaysia a very long time ago. Archaeologists have found their tools, bones and other artefacts at several important sites in both Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.
The Lenggong Valley, Perak
The most famous site is the Lenggong Valley (Lembah Lenggong) in Perak, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here archaeologists found very old stone tools at places such as Kota Tampan and Bukit Bunuh. The valley is best known for Perak Man (Manusia Perak), a human skeleton about 11,000 years old — the oldest and most complete found in Southeast Asia.
Sites in East Malaysia
In Sarawak, the Niah Caves (Gua Niah) are very important. There, archaeologists found the "Deep Skull", the remains of a human who lived tens of thousands of years ago. In Sabah, prehistoric sites include Bukit Tengkorak, known for its ancient pottery. Together these sites, from Perak to Sarawak and Sabah, show that prehistoric people lived across the whole of Malaysia and used stone tools, fire and later pottery, just like early people in other parts of the world.
Remember
- Lenggong Valley, Perak — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Perak Man — a skeleton about 11,000 years old.
- Niah Caves, Sarawak — home of the "Deep Skull".
- Bukit Tengkorak, Sabah — known for ancient pottery.
Key idea
Malaysia has rich prehistoric sites. The Lenggong Valley in Perak, home of Perak Man, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.