Bujang Valley is a 224 km2 archaeological site located in Merbok, Kedah, Malaysia between Mount Jerai and the Muda River. It contains the sprawling remains of an ancient historical complex and was one of the richest archaeological sites in Malaysia, serving as an important trading centre from the 3rd to 15th centuries. The discovery of furnaces, iron smelting evidence, and artifacts show it was actively involved in international trade, particularly in iron and forest products, with China and India.
This PowerPoint helps students to consider the concept of infinity.
Studio 3 Project 2 Site Analysis
1. BUJANG VALLEY
Bujang Valley is located near Merbok, Kedah between Mount Jerai in the
north and Muda River in the South, approximately 224 km2 , it contains
sprawling historical complex and also one of the richest archaeological site in
Malaysia.
Merbok, Bujang Valley, Kedah
Group Members:
Cheong Siew Ying
0314618
Chia Wee Min 0315186
Tan Zi Cin 0314079
Teoh Hui Yu 0313701
Wong Voon Yin 031151
3. Bujang Valley stretched from Mount Jerai in the north to the Muda
River in the south and the Straits of Melaka in the west.
In old time, Bujang Valley was the centre for international trade
and shipping passing through the Straits of Melaka.
Before...
4. Mount Jerai is the highest peak in Kedah and north Malaysia. It was the imposing
peak of Mount Jerai that first captivated the traders travel from the Far East to
anchor at Bujang Valley. It was the landmark for the sailors at sea.
Before...
5. Strategic location between the sailing journey of China and India, it was a perfect
spot for the traders to shelter themselves as they wait for the monsoon season to
pass.
Before...
6. During the monsoon seasons, traders from China and India stayed in Bujang Valley and created a
trading centre in Bujang Valley, trading goods from their country such as textiles and ceramics
from China, spices from India. In return, they will get the local forest harvest, shelter and other
resources.
In 3rd century, locals have been sailing long distance across the Bay of Bengal for trading
rainforest product. In return with metal and textiles.
Before...
7. Before...
The discovery of the furnace, tuyere, iron ores, iron slags, charcoal and ash showed that
Bujang valley was an iron smelting site which actively used from 3rd – 5th Century AD.
Bujang Valley was widely known as “Kadaram”(Sanskrit: Iron)
8. By 7th century, trade with the Chinese, Indians and Arabs merchants in the Straits of Melaka
had increased tremendously and the Bujang Valley evolved into an enterpot.
Bujang Valley was believed to be the first enterport in Southeast Aisa- via its sea route- to link
an alternative route to East and West Asia. This road known as Spice Route.
The 3 main rivers that involved in trade route are: Muda River, Merbok River and Bujang
River.
The prosperity of Lembah Bujang end when the emergence of Sultanate of Malacca in the
early 15th Century.
Before...
9. Present...
Now, what remains of their once magnificent empire can be found
in the candi or temple ruins that dot this sprawling historical
complex.
10. For now, some candi are displayed and reserved at the archeological museum
area and open for public to visit.
Local people come to the site for yoga, meditation and jogging.
Present...
19. Wakaf
Function:
The purpose of wakaf being built in Bujang Valley
site was to clarify that the property of land had
been endowed for public use and it provide the
visitors a place to rest by sitting and laying.
Architecture Style:
Malay vernacular style
There are total of 5 wakaf that can be found in Lembah Bujang
archeological site:
- Wakaf Queda
- Wakaf Chleh-Cha
- Wakaf Kalah
- Wakaf Kadaram
- Wakaf Kalangan
-Open air pavilion made
of wood
-Four columns
-Low platform
-Hipped gable roof
20. Archeological museum
Function:
To carry out research work and archaeological
excavations as well as to exhibit protohistoric
or pre-Islamic artifacts from Bujang Valey
historic sites.
Purpose of this museum is to preserve,
conserve and disseminating knowledge about
the history of this ancient settlement and
kingdom in Bujang Valley known as Ancient
Wonder of Kedah. Besides, it act to create the
awareness of the Kedah’s rich heritage, multi
racial cultures and natural environment to
assist the government in promoting and
developing the tourism.
Architecture Style:
----------Symmetrically balance
-Different sizes and geometry
25. Molave
Scientific name:
Vitex parviflora
Origin: Native to Malaysia
Appearance: medium sized
deciduous tree with an open wide-
spreading crown
Growth: up to 30 metres tall, the
bole is up to 125cm in diameter
and sometimes buttressed
Location: Behind of museum
Flamboyan
t
Scientific name: Delonix regia
Origin: origin in Madagascar,
introduced to South East Asia
Appearance: Short trunk; root-
like buttresses; wide spreading
umbrella shaped crown; about
25 pairs of leaflets per pinnae;
abundant, showy red flowers
Growth: 15 m tall with short
trunk
Location: entrance and in front
Red Lip
Scientific name:
Syzygium campanulatum
Origin: Native to Malaysia
Appearance: evergreen tree ,
shrub-like, young leaves
bright reddish-orange
Growth: growing up to 2 m to
30 m tall, 20 - 70cm in
diameter
Location: Behind of museum
Ruffled
Fan Palm
Scientific name:
Licuala grandis
Origin: originates in South
East Asia
Appearance: a single
trunk and glossy, dark
green whole leaves
Growth: height of approx..
2 m
Lipstick
Palm
Tree
Scientific name:
Cyrtostachys renda
Origin: Native to
Malaysia
Appearance: Pinnate, or
feather like, dark green
leaves
Growth: 10 – 20 ft tall
and 1-5 ft wide
Location: Surrounding
Water
Jasmin
e
Scientific name:
Wrightia religiosa
Origin: Native to
Thailand
Appearance:
Evergreen shrub,
white flower with
fragrance
Primary Secondar
y
Minor
Human
Scale
Major Vegetation Species and
Locations
28. Accessibility to
Bujang ValleyFrom Kuala Lumpur
Bujang Valley
Kuala Lumpur
Transportation:
Route via North-South Expy/E1
Time taken: 5 hour
Distance: 434 km
BUS CAR TAXI
MACR
O SITE
29. MICRO
SITE
Route from Sungai Petani 20.9
km.
Route from Alor Star 70km.
Accessibility to
Bujang Valley
70KM
20KM
MERBOK TOWN >
ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM2.5KM
20 minutes drives from
nearest town Sg. Petani
CAR TAXI
NO PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION
30. Density of
VehiclesTypes of Vehicles and Users
CAR
BIKE
S
BUS
2
7
%
2
9
%
44
%
Tourist / Family
Locals
Workers
Workers
Locals
Tourist
(Group)
50. Strength
• Quiet, peaceful, no pollution
• Surrounded by nature
• Mostly not disturbed by vehicles
(medium and heavy vehicles are only
allowed till the car park)
• Rich Historical Value
• High altitude of contour at mountain
giving bird eye view of site.
High Altitude
51. Weaknesses
• Museum not open with nature
• The museum architecture does not
suit the site along with the wakaf
architecture
• The surrounding of the waterfall is
not well maintained
• Not suitable for visitors like senior
citizens and disability people to visit
candi due to the uneven contour of
site and only stairs provided.
52. Opportunities
• Valuable nature areas, by
connecting the site context with
the building, framing views and
connecting with nature just like
Candis.
• Educating site- Circulate users by
improving the arrangement of
artefacts- telling story of the
civilization
• Tourism- Site has high historical
value may act as main attraction to
outsiders
53. Threats
• Vandalize of the candies as some candies are
not restricted from touching - outsider comes
and vandalizes on heritage.
• Candi is not fenced might causing erosion
due to human touch and nature climate.
• Non functional wakaf
• Safety signs not provided
causing visitors not conscious
with the dangerous of site.
