When French archeologist Jacques de Morgan arrived in Perak in 1884, his tin mining expedition started around the Perak River and covered the entire stretch right to the Pattani border. He was only 27 when he began his work in Perak, a state which had the richest alluvial deposits of tin in the world back then. The young Frenchman's observations and notes while prospecting for tin mines lives on till this day - in the form of his drawings and notes from his journal. A Chinese ink drawing by Jacques de Morgan showing a Senoi longhouse. Photo: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) It offers food for thought on how French tin mining companies, including the one started thanks to de Morgan’s survey, were pioneers among European investors in the region in the late 19th century.

Source: The Star January 23, 2020 04:07 UTC