Belitung Shipwreck Reveals 9th-Century Global Trade Network
Discovered by fishermen in 1993 off the coast of Belitung Island, Indonesia, the Belitung Shipwreck, also known as the Tang Shipwreck, provides insights into a 9th-century trade network connecting the Far East and the Middle East. Controversy arose when the Indonesian government engaged a commercial salvage company for the excavation, leading archaeologists to express concerns about the integrity of academic practices amid ongoing looting. The wreck unearthed more than 60,000 artifacts, including Chinese ceramics, gold, silver items, and bronze mirrors. Its design indicates Middle Eastern influences, featuring wood sourced from Africa and repairs made in India and Southeast Asia. Remarkably, blue-and-white ceramics containing Iranian cobalt date back six centuries earlier than previously known. The ship, measuring 60 feet and carrying 25 tons of ceramics, is currently exhibited at the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore.
Key facts
- Discovered in 1993 by fishermen off Belitung Island, Indonesia.
- Excavated by a commercial salvage company sanctioned by the Indonesian government.
- Cargo included over 60,000 Chinese ceramics, primarily Changsha bowls.
- Ship construction indicates Middle Eastern design with sewn planks and no nails.
- Wood from Africa, repairs from India and Southeast Asia, cargo from Tang Dynasty China.
- Blue-and-white ceramics with Iranian cobalt predate known 14th-century origin by 600 years.
- Included an octagonal gold wine cup, the largest known Tang Dynasty example.
- No human remains found; multi-ethnic crew indicated by personal objects.
- On display at the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore.
Entities
Institutions
- Asian Civilisations Museum
- Singapore Tourism Board
- ArtScience Museum
- Wikimedia Commons
- NPR
- Patrimonio Subacuatico
- Public Service Division, Govt. of Singapore
Locations
- Belitung Island
- Indonesia
- Middle East
- Far East
- Southeast Asia
- India
- China
- Changsha
- Tang Dynasty
- Chang'an
- Xi'an
- Abbasid Caliphate
- Iraq
- Iran
- Africa
- Sumatra
- Singapore
- Oman
- Henan province
- Gongxian kilns