The Prehistoric Human Presence in Gua Kajang: Ancient Lifeways in The Malay Peninsula

The importance of Gua Kajang (Kajang Cave) as a prehistoric archaeological site in Peninsular Malaysia has been recognized since the early 1900s and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. Over the past 10 years, archaeological excavations and research in this cave have produced evidence of prehistoric occupation that broadens the understanding of prehistoric cave archaeology in the Lenggong Valley. This article presents the early lifeways of prehistoric people of Gua Kajang between 11,000 and 4,000 years ago based on two human burials and associated finds, including stone artefacts, fauna remains and earthenware pottery. The material indicates that the early humans of Peninsula Malaysia were cave-dwellers or hunter-gatherers who depended heavily on forest resources.