Meet the 5,700 Year Old Penang Woman the First and Only Neolithic Skeleton Unearthed in Malaysia

Research at Guar Kepah first started back in the 19th century, the first archaeological site to be excavated by the British in Peninsular Malaysia. This site consists of three shell middens which are trash heaps composed of domestic refuse located near dwellings.

In 2010, a team of archaeologists from the Centre of Global Archaeological Research (CGAR), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) unearthed pottery, stone tools, and more at the site, showing evidence of Neolithic culture.

In 2017, the area was dug up again, and skeletal remains were discovered. Both hands were flexed to the chest and it was believed that the body was laid in a semi-flexed position. The female skeleton was also discovered to have been buried using a proper burial ceremony, which was observed from the placement of burial goods such as stone tools and pottery, an indication of her somewhat important position in society.

Chronometric dating showed that she was buried around 5700 years ago and was estimated to be around 40 years old when she died. This makes her approximately more than 1200 years older than the Great Pyramids of Giza! To this day, it is the first and only remaining Neolithic skeleton unearthed from a shell midden in Malaysia.

A team of researchers at USM then used forensic facial approximation techniques including CT scans and 3D modelling and animation software to piece together a face for the skeleton, resulting in the face you see below.

This study is believed to help to pave the way towards understanding face prediction based on skull structures, soft tissue prediction rules, and soft tissue thickness descriptors. Phew, what a mouthful! Some Malaysians so pandai one!

The ‘Penang Woman’ is now carefully conserved in USM as she has to be stored in a controlled environment with proper temperature and humidity. We tried to reach out to her for an interview but received no response. Again, just kidding!

Well done to the research team!