PAHANG : GUA KOTA GELANGGI, JERANTUT

The mystery of Kota Gelanggi in Jerantut, Pahang, is a fascinating blend of prehistoric archaeology, folklore, and historical debate. While it is a popular destination for eco-adventurers today, its "mystery" stems from three main perspectives: the legend of a cursed kingdom, its identity as a possible "Lost City," and its actual prehistoric importance.

1. The Legend of Sang Kelembai

The most famous mystery surrounding the caves is the Sumpahan Sang Kelembai (The Curse of Sang Kelembai).

• The Myth: Local folklore tells of a giantess or supernatural being named Sang Kelembai who had the power to turn anything she spoke to into stone.
• The Cursed Kingdom: It is said that Kota Gelanggi was once a thriving kingdom. During a great royal wedding or a fierce battle (depending on the version), Sang Kelembai "greeted" the city, instantly petrifying the people, animals, and buildings.
• Visual Evidence: Visitors often point to rock formations that eerily resemble human figures, wedding altars (pelamin), and animals like elephants and turtles as proof of this ancient curse.

2. The "Lost City" Debate

There is a long-standing historical debate about whether Kota Gelanggi is the "Lost City" mentioned in the Malay Annals (Sulalatus Salatin).

• Ganggayu: The annals mention a great city of black stone called Ganggayu (or Klang Kio), which was conquered by Raja Suran.
• The Confusion: In 2005, researcher Raimy Che-Ross sparked a national sensation by claiming he had found this lost city in the jungles of Johor. However, many locals and some historians argue that the "Kota Gelanggi" in Pahang is the true site of that ancient civilization, given its name and massive, fortress-like limestone walls.
• Status: While no massive "Angkor Wat-style" ruins have been found in the Pahang jungle, the sheer scale of the limestone complex makes it easy to see why ancient travelers might have described it as a "city of stone."

3. Prehistoric Secrets

Beyond the myths, the caves hold real, scientific mysteries about early human life in the Malay Peninsula.

• Age: The limestone complex is estimated to be around 130 to 150 million years old.
• Archaeological Finds: Excavations have uncovered artifacts dating back to the Hoabinhian (Mesolithic) and Neolithic periods. These include:
• Stone tools and pottery shards.
• Prehistoric human remains.
• Evidence of continuous habitation for thousands of years.

4. Notable "Kotas" (Caves) within the Complex

Each cave in the complex is referred to as a "Kota" (City/Fort) due to its vast, room-like structures:

Cave Name	Key Features / Mystery
Gua Balai	Resembles a grand audience hall, believed to be a meeting place for ancient warriors.
Gua Sanding	Contains formations resembling a Malay wedding dais (pelamin)
Gua Tongkat	Known for a massive stalactite that looks like a walking stick supporting the roof.
Gua Terang Bulan	Features unique lighting effects from natural opening in the ceiling.

What to explore next?

The mystery of Kota Gelanggi is best experienced in person, but it can be dangerous to explore alone due to the labyrinthine nature of the 100+ caves.

ARCHAELOGICAL EXCAVATIONS

The archaeological excavations at Kota Gelanggi in Jerantut, Pahang, have provided significant evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years. The artifacts found suggest that these caves were used as shelters, burial sites, and ritual centers.

Key archaeological findings include:

• Stone Tools (Hoabinhian Culture): Numerous stone tools, such as pebble tools and grindstones, have been discovered. These artifacts date back to the Mesolithic period (roughly 3,000 to 10,000 years ago) and indicate that early hunter-gatherers utilized the caves for processing food and crafting.
• Neolithic Pottery: Shards of decorated and plain pottery have been unearthed, showing the transition to more settled Neolithic communities. Some of these ceramics feature cord-marked patterns common in ancient Southeast Asian sites.
• Human Remains: Skeletal remains and bone fragments have been found in several "Kotas" (caves), suggesting the area served as a prehistoric burial ground.
• Food Refuse (Kitchen Middens): Large deposits of shells (freshwater snails) and animal bones provide insight into the diet of the prehistoric inhabitants, showing they relied heavily on the surrounding river systems and jungle for sustenance.
• Metal Age Artifacts: Some excavations have revealed iron tools and bronze fragments, indicating that the caves continued to be significant through the Metal Age.

These findings support the theory that Kota Gelanggi was a major inland hub for ancient populations in the Malay Peninsula long before the rise of known Malay sultanates.

Google Gemini AI

21 January 2026: 4.34 p.m