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<p>Understanding sea-level fluctuations is central to interpreting ancient coastal settlements and maritime trade systems. The ancient Kedah civilization (Kedah Tua), one of Southeast Asia’s earliest and most influential trading hubs, flourished along a dynamic coastal landscape strongly shaped by Holocene sea-level change. As a coastal society, its development, prosperity, and eventual transformation were closely tied to changes in shoreline position and the availability of maritime and terrestrial resources. This study reconstructs the paleoenvironmental evolution of Bukit Choras, northern Kedah, through sedimentological analyses and foraminiferal assemblages obtained from two sediment cores (BCP5C and BCP6C). Benthic foraminifera, a group of microfossils highly sensitive to salinity, water depth, and substrate conditions are applied here as valuable proxies for reconstructing past sea-level dynamics. The stratigraphic sequence reveals a clear transition from shallow marine to terrestrial settings beginning around 5600&#xa0;years Before Present (BP). Basal units, dominated by <i>Ammonia tepida</i> and <i>Elphidium neosimplex</i>, reflect a mid-Holocene highstand phase associated with a marine incursion. Overlying deposits show a marked decline in foraminiferal abundance and a shift in sediment composition, indicating regressive phases that progressively exposed coastal plains. Radiocarbon ages derived from mollusk and foraminiferal samples establish the timing of marine deposition, which coincides with the mid-Holocene interval. This chronological evidence supports the interpretation of a mid-Holocene highstand, followed by a subsequent stepwise regression. These findings highlight the utility of benthic foraminifera as sensitive indicators of paleoenvironmental change while also providing important archaeological implications. The gradual emergence of lowland areas would have enabled agricultural expansion, altered settlement distribution, and redefined access to maritime trade networks. By integrating geoarchaeological proxies with archaeological context, this study demonstrates the critical role of environmental change in shaping the cultural trajectory and settlement strategies of Kedah Tua and other early maritime societies.</p>

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Sea-Level Change and Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction of Bukit Choras and Its Connection to Ancient Kedah

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月20日

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  • Fatin Izzati Minhat,
  • Nasha Rodziadi Khaw,
  • Nor Khairunnisa Talib,
  • Muhammad Qayyum Kamil,
  • Mohamad Amir Zikri Zanuar,
  • Harizal Shaari,
  • Suresh Narayanen

摘要

Understanding sea-level fluctuations is central to interpreting ancient coastal settlements and maritime trade systems. The ancient Kedah civilization (Kedah Tua), one of Southeast Asia’s earliest and most influential trading hubs, flourished along a dynamic coastal landscape strongly shaped by Holocene sea-level change. As a coastal society, its development, prosperity, and eventual transformation were closely tied to changes in shoreline position and the availability of maritime and terrestrial resources. This study reconstructs the paleoenvironmental evolution of Bukit Choras, northern Kedah, through sedimentological analyses and foraminiferal assemblages obtained from two sediment cores (BCP5C and BCP6C). Benthic foraminifera, a group of microfossils highly sensitive to salinity, water depth, and substrate conditions are applied here as valuable proxies for reconstructing past sea-level dynamics. The stratigraphic sequence reveals a clear transition from shallow marine to terrestrial settings beginning around 5600 years Before Present (BP). Basal units, dominated by Ammonia tepida and Elphidium neosimplex, reflect a mid-Holocene highstand phase associated with a marine incursion. Overlying deposits show a marked decline in foraminiferal abundance and a shift in sediment composition, indicating regressive phases that progressively exposed coastal plains. Radiocarbon ages derived from mollusk and foraminiferal samples establish the timing of marine deposition, which coincides with the mid-Holocene interval. This chronological evidence supports the interpretation of a mid-Holocene highstand, followed by a subsequent stepwise regression. These findings highlight the utility of benthic foraminifera as sensitive indicators of paleoenvironmental change while also providing important archaeological implications. The gradual emergence of lowland areas would have enabled agricultural expansion, altered settlement distribution, and redefined access to maritime trade networks. By integrating geoarchaeological proxies with archaeological context, this study demonstrates the critical role of environmental change in shaping the cultural trajectory and settlement strategies of Kedah Tua and other early maritime societies.