New evidence of ancient Kedah iron smelting sites at Sungai Batu Archaeological Complex (SBAC), Bujang Valley, Kedah, Malaysia

Abstract

Archaeological studies at the Sungai Batu Archaeological Complex (SBAC) have recorded the iron smelting industry of the ancient Kedah (Kedah Tua) kingdom since 2009. The iron smelting workshops were identified based on the findings of iron ores, iron slags, tuyeres, and furnaces. Chronometric dating of charcoal samples at iron smelting sites shows the beginning of iron smelting, at least started in the 6th c. BC. The notes of al-Kindi and I-Tsing, along with the poems of Pattinapalai, further reinforce this result by demonstrating the ancient Kedah's involvement in iron trade activities prior to the 1st c. AD. As such, the dating represents the oldest evidence of the iron smelting industry in Southeast Asia till 2024, allowing a re-evaluation of the data on the iron smelting industry to be carried out.