Kota Tampan, nestled just 5km from the vibrant town of
Lenggong in Perak, is a hidden gem boasting an archaeological richness that
takes us back to the Palaeolithic age. Picture this: a quaint village on the
shores of a paleolake, remnants of which still grace the landscape today. The
very term "Palaeolithic" whispers tales of the "Old Stone
Age," a time when humanity danced with simplicity and survival.
Let's delve into the fascinating journey of discovery at
Kota Tampan. In 1938, H.D Collings, armed with curiosity, led the charge into
the heart of this archaeological wonderland. The tools unearthed from the site,
crafted from quartzite pebbles, narrate a story of nomadic existence. Imagine
ancient humans wielding basic stone and bone tools, crafting their survival in
the form of choppers, hand-axes, flakes, and hammer stones. The Tampanian
culture, as Collings dubbed it, unfolds as a chapter preceding the Pacitan
culture of Central Java, with a touch of cruder elegance reminiscent of tools
from South Africa.
Fast forward to 1958, where Ann Sieveking's exploration
breathes life into Kota Tampan once again. The middle Pleistocene period,
dating back 200,000 to 500,000 years, unfolds before our eyes. This era,
colloquially known as the "ice age," whispers secrets of a cooler,
drier Earth with lower sea levels, unveiling Sunda Shelves that once connected
Africa to Southeast Asia.
Yet, debates arise. Haile challenges the depth of
submergence, questioning the authenticity of artifacts. Harrison, Shutler, and
Hutterer join the discourse, suggesting that the stones discovered are more
natural than man-made. Geological authenticity faces scrutiny, challenging the
early dating proposed by Collings and Sieveking.
Then, in 1987, a team led by Dato' Emeritus Professor
Zuraina Majid embarks on a multidisciplinary journey to revisit Kota Tampan. An
undisturbed site reveals lithic materials arranged with purpose. Battered marks
on small boulders hint at their use as anvils, forming a spatial puzzle that
suggests a systematic production process. The volcanic ash, chemically linked
to Lake Toba's eruption, becomes a time capsule, dating the site to 74,000
years ago.
Zuraina unveils the artistry behind lithic tools, crafted
through direct and indirect flake production, and the meticulous trimming
method. Kota Tampan emerges not just as an archaeological site but as a window
into the cognitive behavior and adaptation of Palaeolithic people. Abandoned in
haste, perhaps by the catastrophic eruption of Toba, the site echoes with the
whispers of a bygone era.
In conclusion, Kota Tampan stands as the crown jewel of
upper late Pleistocene archaeological sites in the Malay Peninsula. A testament
to human adaptation, survival, and the artistry of stone tools, it beckons us
to peer into the soul of our ancestors. As the echoes of the past reverberate
through this site, Kota Tampan becomes a global reference, a beacon
illuminating the Palaeolithic tapestry woven in the heart of Southeast Asia.
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