41 skeletons from Guar Kepah site to be displayed alongside ‘Penang Woman’ once repatriation complete

Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery in Kepala Batas, Seberang Perai, is expected to open in the third quarter of 2025.

The opening will take place once all 41 Guar Kepah site’s Neolithic human skeletons are returned to Penang from the Netherlands where they have been stored for 152 years.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the skeletons would be handed to Universiti Sains Malaysia for assessment before being placed in the gallery.

These will then be displayed alongside the 5,700-year-old skeleton known as “Penang Woman” who is believed to be their ancestor.

While Penang Woman was found in an ancient burial ground on mainland Penang in 2017, the other skeletons are believed to have been excavated by British archaeologists between 1851 and 1934.

“Once the remains are back, we can officially open,” Chow said, adding that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was expected to launch the gallery.

Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery in Kepala Batas and Penang Woman bones (below). — Filepic

Funded by a RM10mil Federal Government allocation, the double-storey gallery was built on nearly a hectare of land.

Minimalist in design, it houses a research centre, lab and artefacts storage facilities.

The gallery, which covers the spot where Penang Woman was discovered, will serve as a tourist attraction and centre for research and heritage preservation.

There will be exhibits such as shell middens and interactive displays on early human settlements, while visitor facilities will include cafe, souvenir kiosks, and surau.

According to previous reports, the Guar Kepah site was the first in Malaysia to have been studied by Western researchers, from the mid-19th century to 1936.

The site yielded human remains, stone tools, food remnants, beads and pottery shards that offer insights into prehistoric life in the area.

Fireworks over Kampung Agong.

Between 1936 and 1960, the 41 skeletons were transferred to Naturalis Biodiversity Centre which in 1984 became part of the National Museum of Natural History in Leiden city.

The remains are now stored at the Collection Centre Netherlands in Amersfoort.

A delegation from Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is expected to travel to Leiden soon to complete the repatriation process, following Cabinet approval and final paperwork.

A house on stilts, tractor ride among padi fields and ‘wayang kulit’ show among the heritage attractions at the festival in Kampung Agong.

Earlier, Chow launched Penang2030 Festival X Seberang Perai Heritage Day 2025 in Kampung Agong, Penaga, which drew some 5,000 participants.

“Amid the greenery and village traditions, this celebration strengthens the harmony we already have among Penang’s diverse communities,” he said.

“It is a recognition of all we have achieved together over the past seven years.”

He said this year’s edition was special as it was the second time Penang2030 Festival was being held, with it moving out of Komtar for the first time into Kampung Agong in conjunction with Seberang Perai Heritage Day.

He said the celebration also showcased Penang’s cultural wealth as a shared asset.

Visitors enjoyed activities such as batik painting, silat, wayang kulit and traditional games like sepak raga bulatan.

There were also sack races, costume and colouring contests and a handicraft market.

Guests enjoyed a “Kenduri Rakyat” which had plenty of free food and drinks while a two-minute fireworks display concluded the event at 8pm.

Also present were state executive councillors Jason H’ng Mooi Lye, Datuk Rashidi Zainol, Fahmi Zainol and Daniel Gooi Zi Sen along with state secretary Datuk Zulkifli Long.