The Chinese Trade Ceramics Found in Borneo – 11th Century to 19th Century (Seramik Perdagangan China di Borneo – Abad 11 -19 Masihi)

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper focuses on the Chinese trade ceramic found in Borneo from the 11th century to the 19th century. In the years between 2005 and 2007, Baszley Bee Basrah Bee did joint research with the Museum of Sabah and The Department of Museums and Antiquity in the form of an archaeological survey at Pulau Bangi, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat in Sabah. In his survey, he discovered ceramics especially from the Song Dynasty (since 11th Century), Yuan Dynasty, Ming and Ch’ing Dynasty (from 14-19th century). In Brunei, archaeological sites such as at Sungai Limau Manis uncovered thousands of Song Dynasty ceramics. Nonetheless, proper documentation and research are still lacking. Hopefully, in the future, adequate documentation would further clarify our understanding of the ancient trade ceramics found in Borneo.

Keywords: Chinese ceramic; underwater archaeology; Borneo

ABSTRAK: Makalah ini memfokuskan pada seramik perdagangan China yang terdapat di Borneo dari abad ke-11 hingga abad ke-19. Antara tahun 2005 dan 2007, Baszley Bee Basrah Bee melakukan penyelidikan bersama dengan Muzium Sabah dan Jabatan Muzium dan Antikuiti dalam bentuk tinjauan arkeologi di Pulau Bangi, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat di Sabah. Dalam tinjauannya, beliau menjumpai seramik terutama dari Dinasti Song (sejak abad ke-11), Dinasti Yuan, Dinasti Ming dan Ch’ing (dari abad 14-19). Di Brunei, tapak arkeologi seperti di Sungai Limau Manis menemui ribuan seramik Dinasti Song. Namun demikian, dokumentasi dan penyelidikan yang komprehensif masih lagi kurang. Mudahmudahan, pada masa depan, dokumentasi yang mencukupi akan memperjelas pemahaman kita mengenai seramik perdagangan kuno yang terdapat di Borneo.

Kata kunci: Seramik Cina; arkeologi bawah air; Borneo