[Book Launch] Ancient Kedah: History, Archeology & New Narratives)

Details

Title: [Book Launch] Ancient Kedah: History, Archeology & New Narratives
Date: 8 April 2025, Tuesday
Time: 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Moderator: Dr. Tan Lee Ooi

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Abstract
This talk will explore how Bukit Choras fits into the broader maritime cultural landscape of the region, considering evidence of long-distance interactions with South Asia, Southeast Asia, and beyond. The site’s strategic coastal position, coupled with material evidence of religious and commercial activities, indicates that ancient Kedah was not only a recipient of foreign influences but an active agent in regional trade and diplomacy. By reframing Kedah within the context of a maritime polity, this discussion highlights its role as an adaptable and influential center that navigated shifting geopolitical currents. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the Bujang Valley civilization, emphasizing its complexity and agency in shaping early regional networks.

Biography of Dr. Nasha Rodziadi Khaw

Dr. Nasha Rodziadi Khaw is an Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Centre for Global Archaeological Research at Universiti Sains Malaysia. He specializes in the field of Epigraphy Palaeography and Historical Archaeology, while current research interest focuses on the early historic coastal polities of Malay Peninsula. His works on ancient Kedah and challenges conventional narratives, emphasizing the region’s complex maritime networks and multicultural dynamism. He completed his PhD at the University of Peshawar, focusing on the Gandhara civilization. Dr. Nasha has led major excavations, including at Bukit Choras. 

Recent Findings in the Bukit Choras Archaeological Site: (Re)Framing Ancient Kedah as a Regional Maritime Polity

The Bukit Choras archaeological site offers new insights into the complex sociopolitical and economic structures of ancient Kedah. Recent excavations at the site have revealed significant material culture, including architectural remains, ceramics, and inscriptions, that suggest Bukit Choras played a vital role in the region’s maritime trade networks. These findings challenge earlier interpretations of Kedah as merely a peripheral trading hub, instead positioning it as a dynamic, interconnected polity with significant autonomy.

Host or Publisher Penang Institute & George Town Literary Festival