MALAYSIA Very ancient Buddhist remains discovered in new excavations in Bukit Choras

Among the discoveries is a life-size Buddha statue and other objects dating back 1,200 years, predating the sites of Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobudur in Indonesia. Valuable testimonies of the prosperous kingdom of Langkasuka, strategic for trade routes. The excavations were coordinated by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Archaeologist Nasha Rodziadi Khaw: “They can offer valuable information.”

Kuala Lumpur () – “With these latest discoveries, the Bukit Choras archaeological site not only confirms the geostrategic importance of Kedah Tua on the maritime trade routes of Southeast Asia, but also presents itself as a future hotspot for archaeological tourism,” said Datuk Roslan Abdul Rahman, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in relation to the recent archaeological discoveries in the small town in northern Malaysia. A 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple was found on the same site last year, and now new, highly valuable remains dating from the 7th to 8th centuries have been discovered. “These are remarkable finds, worthy of attention,” said the ministry. The excavations were carried out between 21 April and 21 May this year.

Older pieces have been found in Bukit Choras than in Angkor Wat, a Khmer temple in Cambodia, and Borobudur, a Buddhist monument in Indonesia, sites known throughout the world. That is why this discovery is considered so historically and culturally significant. One of the valuable antiquities found thanks to the work of researchers from University Sains Malaysia (USM), is a life-size statue of Buddha in the sitting meditation posture, which is proof of the position of ancient Kedah (Kedah Tua) as an important maritime civilization in the region. Local archaeologists explain that these finds could provide more historical details about the ancient Kedah period, also known by its Sanskrit name Langkasuka. The “Kingdom of Langkasuka” was once a prosperous Hindu-Buddhist sovereign state in the northern region of the Malay Peninsula.

The almost intact state of the discovered objects is astonishing: the life-size Buddha statue is complete, with head, facial features, robes and clothing. The Global Archaeological Research Centre team, led by Dr Nasha Rodziadi Khaw, is also working to recover two other objects believed to be Buddha figurines, possibly damaged and missing their heads. According to the researchers, a fourth replica may be hidden deeper in the site located north of Gunung Jerai.

“Comparative studies between this newly discovered Buddha figure and others from the Indian, Indochinese and Malay Archipelago civilizations can offer valuable information about the ancient society of Kedah Tua – Nasha told local media -. This research can deepen our understanding of their religious, cultural and artistic-technological links with the outside world.” The objects were discovered during the third stage of archaeological excavations, which was carried out thanks to the collaboration between the Department of National Heritage and Universiti Sains Malaysia. “The excavation also uncovered many other objects, such as three stone inscriptions of Buddhist mantras, which are considered very significant for Malaysia,” Nasha said an exhibition of the finds will probably be organized, but has not yet been made. decided whether it will be done in a museum or directly at the Bukit Choras site, as occurs in other relevant places in Cambodia and Indonesia.