The Pengkalan Kempas Historical Complex Kompleks Sejarah Pengkalan Kempas, built on a location known as Keramat Sungai Udang (Prawn River Shrine), is an archeological site and museum located on the edge of the town of Pengkalan Kempas, within the Port Dickson District of Negeri Sembilan. The site lies near the Linggi River, not far from the western coast of Malaysia. Within the complex there are a number of megaliths of uncertain age, as well as an Islamic tomb from the 15th century. The megaliths in Pengkalan Kempas are likely related to other megaliths in nearby areas of Peninsular Malaysia. The age of these megaliths is unknown, with some estimates being 1,000 years or older. One megalith in Pengkalan Kempas has an Islamic inscription, and is thus likely from the 15th century, but others at the site may be older. The three most remarked upon megaliths have been likened in shape respectively to a rudder, a spoon, and a sword, and are situated closely together in a row. The "rudder" and "sword" stones have carvings, while the "spoon" stone is undecorated. Other stones of various sizes are located in different parts of the site. Near the group of three megaliths is a large tomb. Inscriptions on a nearby stone identify the occupant as Ahmad Majnun. There are two inscriptions in two scripts, which contain different messages. The Kawi inscription includes the date 1385 in the Shaka era calendar, approximately 1463. The Jawi inscription includes the date 872 in the Islamic calendar, approximately 1467, and also notes that this was during the rule of Mansur Shah. While the Jawi script is easily translated, the interpretation of the Kawi script has proved more difficult. Keramat Sungai Udang held cultural significance for nearby communities, having been a location where oaths were sworn. Archeological work at the site began in 1919, when the site was restored by I. H. N. Evans. Today, it is a registered natural heritage site of Malaysia, and is operated as a megalithic museum, containing the original tomb and stones as well as others brought from elsewhere.
Location
The Pengkalan Kempas Historical Complex (Kompleks Sejarah Pengkalan Kempas) was built on a site known as Keramat Sungai Udang (Prawn River Shrine). It is located on the outskirts of the small town of Pengkalan Kempas, itself 35 kilometres (22 mi) from the nearby city of Port Dickson. The complex sits in a valley close to the Linggi River. The most notable structure in the site is the large tomb of Sheikh Ahmud Majnun. Close to this tomb are a variety of megaliths, including the three most prominent (the "rudder", "spoon", and "sword"), which are grouped together off to one side. The "shield" megalith lies at one end of the tomb, while an inscribed tombstone is located near the opposite end.
Megaliths
Negeri Sembilan is thought to have around 300 megalith sites, which may contain multiple megaliths. Their age is uncertain, with estimates ranging from 200 years ago to the 2nd century AD, and different stones may have been erected at different times. Locally, they are referred to as "living stones" (batu hidup). The original purpose of the megaliths in this part of Peninsula Malaysia is not known, and does not appear to have survived in local folklore. One local belief is that the megaliths mark old graves, but no evidence of this has been found in excavations. Nonetheless, their label of "living stones" indicates some cultural or spiritual relevance. In the Pengkalan Kempas site, there is a prominent grouping of granite megaliths including three large menhirs thought to resemble a rudder (kemudi), spoon (sudu/payung), and kris sword (pedang/keris). These would make them traditional symbols of leadership. Carved into the "rudder" stone are plants, the sun, a peacock, and a horse. Carved into the "sword" stone is another sun, various decorative geometric elements, and the word "Allah" in the Jawi script. It may contain an engraving of a bearded man, reflecting common decorations on Javanese Kris, as well as a Nāga. Given the presence of the word Allah in raised stone, it is likely that the "sword" megalith, at least, is no older than the arrival of Islam, likely being carved in the fifteenth century. This does not date the other stones, and may be part of a longer tradition of adding new stones to the site. The presence of other features on the "sword" stone indicates that, assuming the word Allah was not added later through the unlikely scenario of an existing area of rock being carved down to form the raised words, that animist and Hindu artistic elements continued to be carved after the arrival of Islam.
The "spoon" stone, positioned between the other two, has no carvings. The names of the three main menhirs come from local tradition, explained as being the sword, spoon, and rudder of the buried saint. A large stone located separately from the grouping of three but still near the tomb is said to be a shield due to its circular shape, and is referred to as the "Shield of the Saint". This "shield" (perisai) stone has shallow geometric carvings on one side. This megaliths at Pengkalan Kempas are likely related to megaliths in nearby Kuala Pilah District and Alor Gajah District. The position of the central of the three main menhirs, the undecorated "spoon" stone, in relation to a small rock opposite it is similar to rock pairs found in those other areas. However, while such stone pairs elsewhere are usually orientated north-south, the two at Pengkalan Kempas are orientated northwest-southeast.
Tomb
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