Lenggong, Perak

Lenggong, Perak (6 September 2015)


Lenggong (GPS: 5.10813, 100.96741) is a small town in Hulu Perak, Malaysia. It is located about 100km north of Ipoh on the Kuala Kangsar-Grik (aka Gerik) road, a highway completed in 2006 to link Kuala Kangsar and Grik. Located beside the Perak River, it is the site of Peninsular Malaysia's most important discovery, the prehistoric skeleton of the 11,000-year-old Perak Man, and West Malaysia only Paleolithic sites.

The Perak Man is one of the most complete prehistoric skeletons found in Southeast Asia. It is also the only prehistoric skeleton in the world with congenital deformity known as Brchymesophalangia Type A2. The skeleton was found buried in a foetal position. He had both legs folded towards the chest. He is a male with a height of 157 cm, and is estimated to be in his 50s¹. The funerary items found with his remains included stone tools and numerous riverine shells. The person is a male aged about forty to forty-five, and is about 154 cm in height.

Map of Lenggong, Perak

Places and sights in Lenggong, Perak

Petrol Stations in Lenggong

Flints at the Lenggong Archaeological Museum (4 February, 2006)


Earthenware at the Lenggong Archaeological Museum (4 February, 2006)


The archaeological sites in Lenggong includes Bukit Jawa, Kota Tampan, Gua Gunung Runtuh and Gua Harimau. In 2012, the Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley was inscribed by UNESCO as a cultural heritage site under criterias (iii) and (iv). It is regarded as one of the longest records of the presence of early man within a single locality. According to paleontologists, the Lenggong area bears evidence of a semi-sedentary population from the Paleolithic, Neolithic and Metal ages.

The town is located beside Tasik Raban, a freshwater lake. As a result of its proximity to fresh water, Lenggong is popular for its freshwater fish dishes.

Lenggong was inscribed as World Heritage Site during the 36th session of the World Heritage Committee meeting in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on 2 July, 2012 under the title "Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley".

Getting there

Lenggong is located on Route 76 which links Kuala Kangsar with Baling. To reach it from the North-South Expressway (E1), exit the highway at the Kuala Kangsar Interchange (Exit 143). From there take Route 76 in the direction of Baling.

Getting around

Distances are far at Lenggong. It is recommended that you have your own transport, such as a car or even a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Lenggong is on the Map of towns in Perak

References

Back to Perak mainpage; list of Towns in Perak and Towns in Malaysia

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