Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley Archaeological Site

The Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley is a concentration of prehistoric sites in Perak, Malaysia, that together document human occupation from the Paleolithic into later prehistoric times. The valley is internationally significant for its deep sequence of archaeological deposits.

Systematic archaeological research in the valley uncovered a sequence of human activity over millennia, with Perak Man discovered during excavations in 1991 and contributing to understanding of Late Pleistocene populations in Southeast Asia.

The valley lies in northern Perak state among limestone hills and river terraces; the archaeological sites are distributed along the Lenggong valley system and are accessed from local towns in Hulu Perak.

• Perak Man and chronology: The valley contains Paleolithic through later prehistoric sites, including the Perak Man skeleton discovered in 1991 and dated to roughly 11,000 years ago.

What to See#

• Gua Gunung Runtuh (Perak Man): Gua Gunung Runtuh is the cave where the nearly complete Late Pleistocene human skeleton known as Perak Man was discovered in 1991 and dated to roughly 11,000 years before present.
• Kota Tampan: Kota Tampan is an open-air lithic workshop and occupation site containing calibrated stone-tool assemblages that demonstrate repeated Paleolithic activity in the valley.
• Valley archaeological sites: A series of small cave and riverine sites across the valley preserve stratified archaeological deposits spanning the Pleistocene and Holocene and are interpreted together as a cultural landscape.

Lenggong Valley is in Perak state. From Ipoh, drive north-west along route 1 and local roads toward Lenggong; rural roads can be slow. Local tours and guides based in Ipoh or nearby towns provide the best access to dispersed archaeological sites.

• Hire a local guide to see the key archaeological zones and rock-shelter sites - the landscape is dispersed and signage can be limited.
• Combine visits with local museums that house artifacts found in the valley to contextualize field sites.
• Prepare for heat and limited services on rural roads; bring sufficient water and a charged phone.