MALAYSIA'S UNDERWATER CULTURAL HERITAGE: ANALYSIS OF ARTIFACTS AND SHIPWRECKS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA (WARISAN BUDAYA BAWAH AIR MALAYSIA: ANALISIS ARTIFAK DAN KAPAL KARAM DI LAUT CHINA SELATAN)

Muhammad Alif Husaini Mohd Shafee, Nik Nurhalida Nik Hariry, Nur Aisyah Athirah Rumaizi

Abstract


Abstract 

The South China Sea is one of the world's busiest maritime routes and harbours immensely valuable underwater cultural heritage. This study aims to analyse the causes of shipwrecks and identify the types of artifacts carried by vessels before sinking in Malaysian waters, particularly in the South China Sea. A qualitative approach through documentary analysis and Keith Muckelroy's (1978) theory was employed as the primary analytical framework. Eight major shipwreck sites were identified: Turiang (1370), Nanyang (1380), Longquan (1380), Royal Nanhai (1460), Xuande (1540), Wanli (1630), Desaru (1840), and Bidong, with artifact discoveries encompassing ceramics, porcelain, bronze, and coins. Four principal factors contributing to shipwrecks were identified: weather, geographical features, war, and human negligence. The findings demonstrate that Malaysian waters hold significant evidence of extensive maritime trade between China, Southeast Asia, and the wider world. This study also emphasises the urgent need to protect underwater cultural heritage sites from looting and destruction. 

Keywords: underwater cultural heritage, shipwrecks, artifacts, South China Sea, maritime archaeology 

 

Abstrak

Laut China Selatan merupakan salah satu laluan maritim yang paling sibuk di dunia dan menyimpan khazanah warisan budaya bawah air yang amat bernilai. Kajian ini bertujuan menganalisis punca-punca berlakunya kapal karam serta mengenal pasti jenis-jenis artifak yang dibawa oleh kapal-kapal tersebut sebelum tenggelam di perairan Malaysia, khususnya di Laut China Selatan. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif melalui kaedah analisis dokumen dan teori Keith Muckelroy (1978) sebagai kerangka analitik utama. Lapan tapak kapal karam utama telah dikenal pasti, iaitu Turiang (1370), Nanyang (1380), Longquan (1380), Royal Nanhai (1460), Xuande (1540), Wanli (1630), Desaru (1840) dan Bidong, dengan penemuan artifak merangkumi seramik, porselin, gangsa dan syiling. Empat faktor utama yang menyebabkan kapal karam dikenal pasti ialah cuaca, faktor geografi, peperangan dan kecuaian manusia. Dapatan kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa perairan Malaysia menyimpan bukti sejarah perdagangan maritim yang meluas antara China, Asia Tenggara dan dunia. Kajian ini turut menekankan kepentingan perlindungan tapak warisan budaya bawah air daripada ancaman rompakan dan kemusnahan. 

Kata kunci: warisan budaya bawah air, kapal karam, artifak, Laut China Selatan, arkeologi maritim

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