Kota Batu Archaeological Park
Taman Arkeologi Kota Batu | |
Caryn McClelland and her delegation's visit to the park in 2023 | |
| Location | Jalan Sultan Bolkiah, Kota Batu, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 4°52′56″N 114°57′53″E / 4.88222°N 114.96472°E |
| Type | Settlement |
| Area | 120 acres (49 ha) |
| History | |
| Cultures | Bruneian Empire |
| Site notes | |
| Discovered | 1952–1953 |
| Archaeologists | Tom Harrisson |
| Ownership | Museums Department |
| Website | www.museums.gov.bn |
The Kota Batu Archaeological Park (Malay: Taman Arkeologi Kota Batu) is an archaeological park in Kampong Kota Batu, about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. The Bruneian government's Museums Department is in charge of overseeing the Kota Batu archeological site and its surrounds, which comprise the mausoleums and the museum area, as they were gazetted under the Antiquities and Treasure Trove Act of 1967, and is regarded as a significant archeological site in Brunei.
From the 14th to the 17th centuries, Kota Batu is said to have been the capital of Brunei, acting as a major hub for settlement, trade, and government. Research on the site's flora and fauna is important, as ethno-archaeological investigations have shown how skilled the locals were at employing plants for construction, industry, medicine, and sustenance. The archaeological park has basic services such rest areas, public restrooms, and parking spaces in addition to a 1,580 metres (5,180 ft) promenade, rest huts, and a bridge connecting to Terindak Island.