New Straits Times
Largest Buddhist temple structure unearthed in Bukit Choras, dating back 1,200 years
By Adie Zulkifli | 22 September 2023

The National Heritage Department and Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Global Archaeology Research Centre (GARC) have announced the discovery of the largest Buddhist temple structure in Bukit Choras, dating back 1,200 years. - NSTP/SYAHARIM ABIDIN

YAN: The National Heritage Department and Universiti Sains Malaysia's Global Archaeology Research Centre (GARC) have announced the discovery of the largest Buddhist temple structure in Bukit Choras, dating back 1,200 years.

The team led by GARC chief researcher Dr Nasha Rodziadi Khaw has also discovered two well-preserved life-sized statues made of stucco (a type of plaster), with architectures identical to ancient Srivijaya Kingdom artifacts discovered in Sumatra and West Java, Indonesia.

National Heritage Department commissioner Mohd Azmi Mohd Yusof hailed the finding following two-week excavation works that began on Aug 28, as the most significant archaeology discovery in the country since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The most unique feature about this discovery is that most of the artifacts are still intact, the temple still retaining its full structure. - NSTP/SYAHARIM ABIDIN

"The most unique feature about this discovery is that most of the artifacts are still intact, the temple still retaining its full structure.

"We hope to make more discoveries to bring elements into Kedah civilisation besides adding a new archaeo-tourism product in the state.

"This is the first discovery under a pilot project following an MoU signed between the department and 11 local universities," he said in a press conference after visiting the site today.

Present were USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Ir Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed, GARC director Professor Dr Stephen Chia and Nasha.

He added that the excavation works as of Sept 8 had exposed the whole western wall of the temple and half of its northern and southern walls, as well as staircase structures on its base.

National Heritage Department commissioner Mohd Azmi Mohd Yusof. - NSTP/SYAHARIM ABIDIN

"The team has also discovered inscriptions in Pallava and fragments of pottery. The site is believed to be built between the 8th and 9th century A.D, positioning it on a similar timeline with Bujang Valley and Srivijaya period.

"The statues and artifacts discovered from the site will be taken back to GARC USM for conservation and further research," he said.

The second phase of the excavation works on the remaining structure of the temple is set to resume by December.

USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Ir Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed said the university would continue working with the National Heritage Department to carry out more excavation works at archaeological sites to further expand archaeo-tourism products.

"There are many that are still to be explored in Bujang Valley as we need more time to carry out excavation works.

"More importantly, these discoveries shall enable us to review historical events written by the western historians," he said.

The statues and artifacts discovered from the site will be taken back to GARC USM for conservation and further research. - NSTP/SYAHARIM ABIDIN

Meanwhile, Nasha said the findings had raised new questions on the cultural relationship between Lembah Bujang and other ancient civilisations in Southeast Asia.

"This site is special because most of the archaeology sites were discovered in Bujang Valley that are located south of Gunung Jerai, namely along Sungai Merbok and Sungai Muda.

"Bukit Choras is the only site located in the north of Gunung Jerai and totally isolated. We were surprised by the discovery of the biggest Buddhist ancient temple site.

"This suggests that there was a huge population nearby this hill which used to be cape prior to the sedimentation process which pushed the current coastline to some 8km away from here. We hope to make more discoveries soon," he said.