During the 1880s, Ipoh wasn’t just known as the city of tin mining. In fact, it held various historical artefacts, remains and evidence of human civilisation, thousands of years old.
Tambun Cave is a limestone cave, situated about 4km away from the main town centre of Ipoh. It holds evidence of people from the olden days, dating back to 9000 years ago in the form of primitive drawings.
The drawings are formed on the walls of the cave, some as high as 15m. Figures of humans, animals, lines and dots forming abstract shapes are visible. These drawings are said to picture the prehistoric life and environment of people from that era.
Some of the interesting figures include animals in shapes of wild boars, tapir, tigers, mermaids and an unborn fawn inside its mother.
In addition to a visit to the cave, do drop by the Geology Museum, situated at Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah. You are welcome to explore a variety of hidden geological treasures of the earth. Some of the collections that you can witness are the specimens of rocks, minerals, fossils and gemstones which were mostly sourced from our country itself.
The museum also exhibits a few samples of tin ore and the ways and process of tin mining which were done in Kinta Valley back then.
Another museum to visit is the Darul Ridzuan Museum, located at Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab. Built in 1926, it is also a historical building in itself. This museum showcases works by agencies and individuals. Currently, the museum is showcasing an exhibition on financial headlines by well-known cartoonist, Dato’ Mohammad Nor Muhammad Khalid, or better known as Lat. The exhibition which opened in March, will end in July.
GPS: Tambun Cave – N 4° 036’ 8.99352” E 101° 07’ 50.64348”; Geology Museum – N 4° 035’ 51.20592” E 101° 7’11.23356”; Darul Ridzuan Museum – N 4° 036’ 16.32564” E 101° 04’ 41.05344”.
Rosli Mansor
