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Purpose This study was conducted with the main purpose of recording primary data related to environmental factors, which has become the main criteria in the selection of the Sungai Batu Archaeological Complex (SBAC) as the center of the iron smelting industry and trade in ancient Kedah. Design/methodology/approach To fulfill this purpose, field studies involving drone photogrammetry mapping, augering, core drilling and geophysical mapping methods were carried out. Findings The results obtained through the application of the method have shown that SBAC has a good environment, which has a wide and deep river flow, the existence of Mount Jerai and the abundance of iron ores, mangrove Merbok and clay. Research limitations/implications Resources did not allow for environment studies of the by-products tourism sites as part of the current study. Practical implications The study also included a survey and mapping to obtain potential primary data around SBAC in the process of developing it as the center of the world iron industry. Social implications One finding is that attention to heritage policy and protection must be ongoing at all levels of government and the local community to ensure that the survey and mapping data carried out can be developed as a sustainable heritage tourism product. Originality/value This study reveals primary data related to the suitability of paleoenvironment in the SBAC development process as a world iron smelting industry area.
Halim et al. (Fri,) studied this question.