The skeletal remains of a woman who lived about 8,000 years ago have been found at Gua Teluk Kelawar in Lenggong, Perak by a team of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) archaeologists. The 148cm-tall woman was believed to be in her forties when she died, said USM’s Archaeology Research Centre director Datuk Prof Zuraina Majid. 
     She was believed to have been buried in a foetal position. There were signs of hematite near the remains which were discovered in May, Prof Zuraina said. She added that stones and food were also buried with the woman, which was normal in prehistoric times. Bones found at the site reveal that a rat, monkey and iguana were also buried with the woman. "Some bones were found shattered, probably due to limestone from the cave falling on the skeleton,” she said. 
     In 1991, Perak Man, a complete skeleton dating back between 10,000 and 11,000 years, was found by Prof Zuraina and researchers from USM and the Department of Museum and Antiquities at Gua Gunung Runtoh. USM’s School of Dentistry dean Prof Dr Abdul Rani Samsudin said Perak Man was believed to have died from a jaw infection. This was discovered when a CT scan of his teeth showed a hollow cavity in his right lower jaw

Source: The Star online (24 August 2004)