Tham Phrayananga is a limestone cave on Phi Phi Le Island in the Andaman Sea, off south‐west Thailand. A 2010 survey recorded 80 painted figures on the cave wall, in three different panels. They include nine identifiable ship types, other unidentified ships, non‐marine images and a Jawi script. They are monochrome (black, red‐brown, or dark‐brown), or bichrome (dark‐brown with yellow‐brown, or red‐brown with black). The vessels portrayed can be compared with local and overseas ships from China, Europe and Indonesia. Whether local or from distant ports, all were involved in the Southeast Asian maritime trade and voyages of the 15th–20th centuries.

This article discusses the importance of archaeology in the conservation and restoration works in Malaysia. Even though the development of archaeology in the nation is approximately 200 years, it is still considered a new subject. Even so, more than 50 research projects on the archaeological conservation of buildings and historical sites have been completed in this nation. Some of the archaeological conservation projects completed include Kota Kuala Kedah, the candi of Lembah Bujang, Fort Cornwallis, Suffolk House, High Courts, and Shop Houses of (Lebuh Acheh) in Pulau Pinang, Muzium Matang in Pasir Salak, Balai Budaya in Kuala Lumpur, Kota Lukut in Negeri Sembilan, Kota Melawati and Istana Bandar in Selangor, Bangunan Onn Jaafar in Johor and Fort Megarittha in Sarawak. These archaeological conservation projects had varying success. Successful in this context is when a site is uncovered with carefully preserved and restored archaeological finds and the reconstruction of certain structures whereas unsuccessful is when all the archaeological finds are disregarded or even destroyed. Therefore, this article attempts to uncover several factors about the importance of archaeological activities in the conservation or restoration of buildings and historical sites. Among that being suggested is that all historical buildings or sites that have to preserved and conserved should first be investigated archaeologically, all archaeological finds should be restored, and reconstructed in order to preserve the specific authenticity of the historical building or site, some funds should be set aside for these activities, and that it should be undertaken by an archaeologist who is experienced and trained in this field.

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