Potential for maritime archaeological research in Malaysia

Abstract

Maritime Archaeology is the scientific study of the sea-faring culture of man from the material remains of his sea-faring activities. While sunken shipwrecks represent the major source of information, other sources include any kind of documentation ranging from pre-historic drawings in cave dwellings to historic accounts of ships and shipwrecks. The information derived from the study not only helps to throw light on the evolution of designing and building of vessels but also of the boat-building traditions of ancient people. The detailed study of the artifacts of ship fittings and accessories, cargo, personal effects and utilities yields a wealth of information on the sunken ship as a time capsule of a self-contained society which represents the social and cultural aspects of miniature the country and region of origin of the vessel. Given Malaysia's considerably long coast and the fact that the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea have been the world's busiest shipping lanes during the centuries past, it can be seen that hundreds of wrecks of various types of sea-going vessels ranging from barges, sampans, perahus, sail boats would be, lying within the territorial waters of Malaysia.