Sungai Batu Archaeological Site - Oldest Southeast Asean Civilization

If you love the ancient history of Kedah and Malaysia, this is one of the places that you should visit. This was my second visit here. It tells you of a huge iron smelting industry that took place between the 1st and 4th centuries AD, before its decline in the 7th century AD when the sea levels dropped, when the prominence was taken over by Pengkalan Bujang and Sungai Mas. The toilets are clean and the security guards are helpful. Entrance is free as the site is the responsibility of the National Heritage Department. Parking is free and ample too. You can opt to take a guided tour, but if you want more time to take photos and digest the importance if this site at your own time, it’s best to walk on your own. There are enough signs with QR codes for you to scan to obtain more information about the place.

this place is huge and most sites are site being explore. It is located on both side of the roads. If you use google map to guide you to the place it will guide you to the sites where the colourful landmarks of Sungai Batu Tamadun Tertua di Asia Tenggara. However you can also explore tue other side of the road where the areas are more huge.

There is no fees for entering. You can apply for a tour guide and they have a bunch of packages you can choose with a set of prices. I shared the brochure that I got at the front desk for reference.

Anyway, this place really brings me to appreciate my history more.

For the casual visitor, the site may not seem like much. But for someone who is into civilization and history, this place is a treasure trove. The state and federal governments should go hand-in-hand and further develop this area with the help of local activists and academicians. I would love to see this site declared as a UNESCO heritage site. Put the politics aside, please.

Interesting place for historical view but unfortunately the local government didn't manage it well. I hope in the future it will be more take care, as per data at the guest book so many people who really interested coming almost everyday. Thank you for the guard who became the guide to us.

Anyone wish to know and learn the importance of why this ancient kingdom have rise and fall from 7th century to 13th Century is important for us human civilization and history of Tanah Melayu before Melaka became a metropolitan port . SG Batu play a significant role for the historical value and also the transformation of the economic structure not only depending on trading but iron industry have been introduce during that period of time. Later the Agriculture have become the important economic factor till today .

real archeology site.the guard also knowledgeable.

Archaeological Site of the Oldest Civilization in Southeast Asia. Among the historical locations that must be visited if going to Malaysia and the state of Kedah in particular. You will be taken on a tour, briefed and also you can do for yourself and feel for yourself how the excavation process with guidance from archaeologists there.

Don't get wrong of the landmark by MAJLIS PERBANDARAN SUNGAI PETANI... Basically the starting point of this whole Sungai Batu historical journey starts at the opposite side of the road with the sign board "SELAMAT DATANG TAPAK ARKEOLOGI SUNGAI BATU"... Meet the students there with entrance fee RM20 they will be your 1 hour tour guide explaining what they have done to the archeology site.

It's a great site to see the ruins... Iron ore mining and ancient jetty and river... Very very cool place

The archaeology place, the area are very big, the archaeology items are protected. We need to give our support to archaeology Malaysia

Friendly and informative tour guide available with a small fee, which is totally worth for the trip.

We normally see artifacts in the museum. But this place serves a different perspective; the origin of that artifacts.

Surrounding: Clean
Staff: Friendly
Ticket: Free
Toilet: Very Clean

Free entry. There are two archeological sites (opposite each other) actually, but the signboard along roadside only shows one of them. It would be better if there's more information about the sites.

Quite interesting historical site but lack of info.

MUST VISIT this Kedah Tua archeology site, as earliest tamadun in SEA
free entrance
open daily frm 9am-5pm (updated by jan 2022)

Sungai Batu 788BC The Great Kingdom Of Kedah Tua.

Iron Age begins in the Middle East about 1200 BCE, where the knowledge of iron metallurgy and of iron objects was rapid and widespread.

It was reported that Iron Age in China beginning about 600 BCE, while Sungai Batu Complex, as new dating suggested, would be much earlier, in 788 BCE.

Sungai Batu Complex's iron smelting industry is part of Iron Age, where the knowledge of iron metallurgy and of iron objects, were exchanged to form a standardized processes, if we can say, as what modern day used to do, then after that the products of an industry, would be recognized of its quality throughout the world.

Sungai Batu's iron was the best as reported by Al-Kindi and Al-Biruni back then. Impressive.

Historical place 👍

Malaysians should be very proud of this discovery! Super impressive ancient civilization!

Historical place, 700BC. Must visit.

The Historical Place where archeological artifacts were found aged more than 2,800 years. The oldest empire in South East Asia in Kedah.