GALERI ARKEOLOGI GUAR KEPAH

Project Description

GBI Rating

Certified

Certificate No.

GBI-NRNC-0351(P)

Validity Date

11 Sept 2024 – 10 Sept 2027

Building Category

Non-Residential New Construction (NRNC)

Location

LOT 10124, JALAN GUAR KEPAH, BUMBUNG LIMA, MUKIM 2, DAERAH SEBERANG PERAI UTARA, 13200 KEPALA BATAS, PULAU PINANG., Penang

Local Authority

MBSP - Majlis Bandaraya Seberang Perai

Owner

PERBADANAN KETUA MENTERI PULAU PINANG (CMI)

The Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery (GKAG) is an archaeological site located in Kepala Batas, Seberang Perai Utara, Penang. The site is currently undergoing the process of being gazetted as a heritage site under the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645). It preserves an in-situ shell midden, estimated to be around 5,000 years old. The earliest archaeological records were documented by British officer George Winsor Earl in the 1850s, leading to the discovery of 41 skeletal remains, now housed in Leiden, the Netherlands. In 1860, a prehistoric burial site was uncovered at Guar Kepah, where archaeologist Van Stein Callenfels conducted excavations between 1934 and 1936. These excavations unearthed human skeletal remains, along with food remnants, ceramic pieces, stone tools, and other artefacts. In 2017, an almost intact 5,000-year-old skeleton of a woman was discovered at the Guar Kepah site. The remains were later named "Penang Woman." The "Penang Woman" is currently housed at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)’s Pusat Penyelidikan Arkeologi Global (PPAG) facilities. It is planned to be displayed at GKAG by end of 2024. Following the discovery, the development of the Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery (GKAG) was spearheaded by strategic collaboration between Penang State Government, Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI), Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) and USM. NCIA provides GKAG new building complex while other partners manage the repatriation of remaining artefacts from the Netherlands. The gallery consists of a two-storey building constructed around the shell midden. To ensure the sustainability and preservation of the heritage archaeological site, NCIA has adopted Green Building Index (GBI) standards at the Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery. This approach demonstrates a commitment to minimizing the environmental impact of development while safeguarding the integrity of this important historical site. The Green Building Index (GBI), Malaysia’s certification system for sustainable buildings, ensures that construction projects align with essential sustainability principles. By adhering to these standards, the building emphasizes energy efficiency, resource conservation, and a reduced carbon footprint. The design integrates natural lighting and ventilation to lower energy consumption, while incorporating reused materials, such as seashells found on site, along with eco-friendly construction practices, to minimise environmental degradation. Water conservation measures are also a key feature of the design, with the nearby paddy field using underground water for irrigation, thereby reducing the need for potable water. In addition, the building incorporates native and adaptive plant species to preserve local biodiversity and protect the surrounding ecosystem. The project’s adoption of GBI standards not only provides environmental benefits but also enriches the visitor experience by creating a space that blends seamlessly with nature while showcasing the cultural and historical importance of Guar Kepah. This green building initiative exemplifies how modern construction can coexist with heritage conservation, setting a valuable precedent for future projects at environmentally sensitive sites. By integrating GBI principles into the design and operation of the Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery, NCIA not only preserves a vital part of Malaysia’s heritage but also showcases leadership in sustainable development.