The environment and archaeological findings of Sungai Mas archaeological sites (site 32/34)

摘要

Sungai Mas in Kuala Muda Kota is an important proto-historic site, which led to the dispute between archaeologists and scholars in Malaysia. Most scholars consider the areas around Pengkalan Bujang and Merbok as the location of the Bujang Valley civilization. However, the discovery of thousands of artefacts in Sungai Mas brought a new dimension to the Bujang Valley civilization, where the discovery of archaeological artefacts had shown that Sungai Mas was the earliest settlement location. The glorious period for Sungai Mas as the center of governance and entrepot began in the 5th to 10th century AD. The findings were established upon the discovery of certain inscriptions, ceramics and important artefacts. The findings from the research also suggested that there was a trench that linked Sungai Mas to Guar Kepah, another prehistoric settlement dated from the Hoabinhian age until the Neolithic age. The findings of foreign ceramic artefacts, earthenware, beads, bricks, and makara will be used to contest the opinion stating that the Pengkalan Bujang was the earliest settlement location and, thus, to strengthen the role of Sungai Mas as the earliest government center and main entrepot for Bujang Valley civilization.