Archaeological Excavation at Gua Pelangi, Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan

Muhammad Amir Rizal Bin Mohd Roslin* and Shaiful Idzwan Bin Shahidan

Gua Pelangi is a significant archaeological site containing Palaeolithic evidence in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia. Prior research established the site's chronology between 14,140 BP and 9,490 BP, situating it within the Late Pleistocene to Early Holocene transition. Excavations conducted in 2015 recovered 57,372 artifacts, comprising lithic tools, faunal remains, and ceramic shards. However, the archaeological record of this site remains incomplete, as previous excavations covered only approximately 16% of the total area. Consequently, further investigation is required to obtain new data and provide a comprehensive overview of the socio-cultural life of that period. The objective of this study is to identify new archaeological findings, specifically focusing on the unexplored northeastern sector of the cave. This area exhibits characteristics of human habitation, primarily due to optimal natural lighting from the cave entrance. Furthermore, the study explores the potential for Neolithic cultural sequences, suggested by the presence of ceramic shards. This research also aims to establish an absolute chronometric date for the second cultural layer, which previously could only be dated relatively between the first and third layers due to a limited artifact assemblage. The methodology employs both qualitative and quantitative approaches, including literature reviews, topographic and geological mapping, Global Positioning System (GPS) documentation, geophysical surveys (magnetometry), systematic grid excavation, and laboratory analysis of recovered finds. This study offers insights into the daily lives and cultural identities of the early inhabitants of Gua Pelangi, thereby enhancing the understanding of the archaeology of Southern Peninsular Malaysia.