Editor’s Note: This story has been updated on March 4, 2022 at 1.23pm.
KUCHING, March 3: The compound of the Central Police Station here today yielded several artefacts, bringing ongoing construction work for a sewerage project to a halt.
Archaeological workers were seen carrying out investigations at the scene this morning.
The artefacts uncovered included fragments of vases, jars and bottles.
Later on March 4, artefacts believed to date back to the 1800s were once again discovered near the Central Police Station here.
Nicholas Day Henry Ate, the head of the conservation, research, and collection division under the Sarawak Museum Department said based on initial studies conducted on the artefacts discovered on March 3 and 4, most of the artefacts were pottery pieces from China or Europe.
“So far, we have recovered some 20 pieces of artefacts, which mostly consist of broken pieces.
“However, there are eight items which are still intact. This will make it easier for us in the department to do an in-depth analysis to study the history of these artefacts,” he told DayakDaily when contacted.
Nicholas added that the archaeology team would continue to carry out rescue work this Sunday.
Earlier this week, the department received a report after construction workers discovered the items while conducting drainage works around the area.
Due to the discovery, all construction works were put on halt for archaeologists to recover and conduct further investigations.
On June 24 last year, a similar incident happened in the same area where several broken pieces of white porcelain and ceramic were discovered in the third layer comprising loose soil.
Based on what was discovered then, Nicholas said by looking at the beam and wall ground, the artefacts probably date back to the Brooke Era.
He acknowledged the possibility of more artefacts being buried surrounding the area. — DayakDaily
