THE ANCIENT IRON SMELTING IN SG. BATU, BUJANG VALLEY, KEDAH Naizatul Akma Mokhtar, Mokhtar Saidin & Jeffrey Abdullah This paper discusses the preliminary data of iron smelting site (SB2A) found in protohistorical site of Bujang Valley, Kedah. This site was dated to 3 rd - 5 th CE. The findings include metal artifacts, remains of furnaces, thousands of iron ores, tuyeres and slags. As the first iron smelting site ever discovered in Bujang Valley, this discovery had given a big impact that may be able to change the old paragdigm about the existence of a possible civilization in Malaysia. The discovery shows that from the 3 rd CE, there had been a society that had already acquired the technology of iron smelting in Bujang Valley. The actual form of the structure, in terms of the shape of the furnace, is yet to be identified due to the insufficiency of the intact structure discovered during the excavation. The current research indicates that a large-scale iron- smelting industry existed in Bujang Valley from 3 rd - 5 th CE. This paper will also attempt to discuss the result of the preliminary analysis on the iron artefact, through the employment of some methods such as polishing section, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). Keyword: Bujang Valley, Iron Smelting, Iron Slag, Tuyere INTRODUCTION The article will discuss the results of archaeological excavations and preliminary analysis of artifacts found at the site SB2A. Site excavation was carried out from February 1, 2009 and ended on April 15, 2009. The site is also the site of no. 71a based on the mapping conducted by Jane Allen in Bujang Valley in 1979 and 1980. Allen also reported that this site serves as a site for religious or secular activity based on the external mound, rectangular in shape with the size of 7x6 m (Allen, 1988) (Photo 1). HISTORICAL RESEARCH ON BUJANG VALLEY Studies on Bujang Valley civilization began more than a century ago. During this period, a total of more than 80 sites were found. Most of the sites found were the site of the candi (temple) and entrepot. Preliminary studies began when James Low accidentally discovered the remains of candi and stone inscriptions at Seberang Prai in 1840's. After this discovery, more researchers are conducting research in the Bujang Valley, among them are Evans, Quartrich Wales, Dorothy Wales, Treggoning, Sullivan, Peacock and Lamb. In 1968, the Department of Museums Malaysia has taken the research and maintenance of the candi of the Bujang Valley in collaboration with local universities. Among local researchers involved in research in the Bujang Valley are Adi Taha, Kamarudin Zakaria, Leong Sau Heng, Nik Hassan Shuhaimi, Othman Yatim, Mohd. Supian Sabtu and several other researchers. Until now, study on Bujang Valley found monument function as candi which is related to Hindu-Buddha period and related to trading activities. Bujang Valley which is also known as Kedah Tua is believed to be the earliest entrepot and religious center in the country. Its role can be proved by the discovery of archaeological evidence such as the discovery site of candi Hindu-Buddhist, statues, broken ceramics, beads, porcelain and many other artifacts connected with the trade (Wales, 1970, 1974, Wheatley, 1964; Lamb, 1960, 1961, 1980; Leong Sau Heng, 1973, Adi, 1991; Supian, 2002; Nik Hassan