Cover Dr Nasha Rodziadi Khaw and the almost complete Buddha figure
Dr Nasha Rodziadi Khaw and the almost complete Buddha figure
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Unearthing Malaysia’s multicultural heritage and rich history in Bukit Choras, Kedah
If time is a river flowing endlessly forward, Dr Nasha Rodziadi Khaw is determined to build a dam, slowing its course to preserve the past. There is not a moment to lose in his pursuit of history, where his work is deeply rooted in preserving Malaysia’s hidden heritage. In one of the most significant finds in recent Malaysian history, the 39-year-old archaeologist recently unearthed a 1,200-year-old life-sized Buddha statue in Bukit Choras, Kedah—along with artefacts and inscriptions that predate Unesco World Heritage Sites like Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobudur in Indonesia—spurring his dedication to revealing the multicultural heritage of ancient Malaysia.
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“I’ve always been fascinated by history,” Nasha tells Tatler as he reflects on his journey. Contrary to what some may think, Indiana Jones didn’t ignite his early curiosity. “The fictional character didn’t inspire me at all,” he says, “as I already understood what was depicted in the movies was actually the looting and destruction of archaeological sites, not proper research.”
Above Nasha and his archeological team
Above The archeological site
Nasha and his archeological team
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Instead, it was his older brother’s secondary school textbooks that introduced him to the many ancient kingdoms that once thrived across Asia. Born and raised by his Chinese father and Malay mother in Butterworth, Penang, he would pour over books as a child, yearning to know more about the lives and cultures that existed long before our time. Nasha recounts how his passion was reignited when he was offered the chance to take archaeology as a minor at Universiti Sains Malaysia.
“I took that course without hesitation, and from there, my journey as an archaeologist began in earnest.” He worked diligently in archaeology, publishing his first paper on Ancient Kedah in 2007. He then pursued a master’s in archaeology in 2008 and later completed his PhD in 2016 at the University of Peshawar, Pakistan, focusing on Gandhara inscriptions and civilisation.
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The groundbreaking discovery in May 2024 at Bukit Choras revealed an almost-complete Buddha figure in a meditative pose, a remarkable find given its age and the challenges of preservation in the region. Nasha says it is an incredibly rewarding experience to unearth something like a Buddha statue that hasn’t seen the light of day for over a thousand years. “The anticipation and excitement for new findings and data which may provide fresh insights into the history and culture of ancient societies [make] all the obstacles faced during the research worth enduring.”
The site also revealed two other Buddha figures—although these were damaged and missing their heads—along with architectural remnants of a Buddhist stupa, a mound-like structure used for meditation. Additionally, inscriptions in Sanskrit, written in a post-Pallava script (a South Indian writing style), were found alongside other artefacts.
Above Site clearing before the dig
Site clearing before the dig
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However, the excitement of discovery is tempered by the need for meticulous documentation. Nasha shares that in archaeology, everything needs to be properly recorded. While it’s tempting to rush to conclusions when he makes a big find, he says that the academic value of these artefacts depends on their context. So documentation is key; if not, we lose their context and, with it, much of the historical significance.
While Bukit Choras has become an essential archaeological site, offering well-preserved relics that predate even the famed Angkor Wat and Borobudur, Nasha adds further context, “One has to bear in mind that Bukit Choras is not the only site in Southeast Asia which is older than Borobodur and Angkor Wat. Numerous other Hindu and Buddhist sites even predate Bukit Choras, such as the Batu Jaya sites in West Java, Indonesia (6th-7th century CE), the Prasart Phnom Ngok site in Kampot, Cambodia (5th-6th century CE), the Khao Klang Nai site in Thailand (6th-7th century CE), and many others…”
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However, what makes Bukit Choras particularly significant is the clarity with which these findings illustrate the multicultural interactions of ancient Kedah. “The significance of the recent findings should be interpreted in the context of its role in the regional historical framework and how the excavated material remains describe the process of cultural diffusion between coastal sites of Southeast Asia and the outside world.”
Above Dr Nasha Rodziadi Khaw
Dr Nasha Rodziadi Khaw
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These relics, while South Asian in cultural influence, were constructed using local materials and likely local manpower, suggesting a high level of collaboration between indigenous and foreign communities. Nasha shares that the implication is that the coastal communities of Ancient Kedah were not just passive recipients of foreign trade and ideas but active participants in the exchange of cultures, shaping their own hybridised forms of religious and architectural expression.
“The real significance of the discovery is the well-preserved archaeological evidence for cultural diffusion and transmission of ideas between indigenous and foreign communities.” The discoveries underscore the dynamic and fluid nature of cultural identities in ancient Malaysia, where diverse communities coexisted, interacted, and contributed to the region’s rich cultural heritage. Multiculturalism is not new in the Malay peninsula and Ancient Kedah, and Nasha notes that it began with trade in the 2nd century, when connectivity between China, India, and Southeast Asia increased. His work also offers fresh perspectives on Malaysia’s place in the broader context of Southeast Asia’s history.
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To draw a parallel, as Nasha highlights, Singapore stands as the closest modern example of Ancient Kedah’s trade and cultural prominence, with its refinery, multicultural fabric, and vital economic significance. With the continued support of government agencies, the corporate sector, private philanthropists, NGOs, and advancements in technology, Nasha and his team are poised to make even greater contributions to our understanding of the past. With only 30 per cent of the site explored, the next discoveries could reshape our understanding of Southeast Asia’s rich historical landscape. This work is essential in linking our past to our future, connecting the events, experiences, and decisions of bygone years to the possibilities of our future: it is perhaps one of the last pathways available to us between what has already happened and what is yet to come.
Above Aerial view of Bukit Choras in Kedah
Aerial view of Bukit Choras in Kedah
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About
Lynette loves travelling and dancing to Latin music almost as much as she enjoys period films and pastry desserts. She is constantly in search of the perfect nude lipstick and finds her best ideas through walks in nature.
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As the Editor-in-Chief of Tatler Malaysia, Lynette leads the content teams for print, digital and social media platforms of the brand. She has over 20 years experience in media, having been editorial director and editor-in-chief for lifestyle titles such as Cleo, ELLE, Esquire, Men’s Health, and Women’s Health.
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