Born in Kuala Lumpur, Zuraina Majid received her Bachelor’ degree from University of Malaya, M.A. from Cambridge University and Ph.D in Archeology (1979) from Yale University.
A historian and the first ever archeologist in Malaysia, Majid was a Professor of Anthropology at University of Malaya, Director of the Center for Archaeological Research and a Commissioner for Malaysia’s Heritage Resources. She took part in excavations of the Lower Paleolithic industry near Kota-Tampan and Lenggong and in Thailand and Philippines.
Professor Majid has written four books and published numerous breakthrough articles. The most important one is her edited volume titled The Perak Man and other Prehistoric Skeletons of Malaysia. This major volume, a first of its kind provides an overview of the recovery and analysis of early Homo Sapiens and human remains from archaeological site excavations in Malaysia.
Dr. Majid is credited with developing the field of Malaysian archaeology and training a future generation of archaeologists. She was awarded the prestigious Penang Government Medal, Order of the State of Perak for the Defender of the Crown, and the title of Dato. Her signature and name are inscribed on many heritage plaques throughout Malaysia.