‘There can be no true understanding of the present with out knowledge of the past. Everything happening in the world today is a piece of a long line of events, decisions

and lives that came before. By not knowing the past, it is not possible to know the present or the future.’

Was there Singapore before 1819?

How can we find out? What do we use?

Evidence!

Evidence!

Written sources Visual/Pictorial Evidence

Physical Evidence/Artefacts

Oral Evidences

Written sources

‘Sejarah Melayu’written by Munshi Abdullah

•The Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals) tells the story of how Sang Nila Utama , a ruler of Palembang named the island Singapura.•This is one of the anecdote, which is a short, entertaining account of something that has happened

Written sources

‘Sejarah Melayu’written by Munshi Abdullah

•Singapura grew into a thriving trading centre under the leadership of Sang Nila Utama.•It was a source of envy to its more powerful kingdom nearby - the Majapahit empire

Majapahit Empire

Written sources

‘Dao Yi Zhi Lue ’written by Wang Dayuan

•Dao Yi Zhi Lue (Description of the Barbarian of the Isle) gave a description of Singapura.

‘The list of products exported by Temasik comprised hornbill,casques, lakawood and cotton . While the range was rather limited, when compared to the products available at the Malaya Peninsula, the quality and type of products were certainly unique…’

What does this source tell you

about trading in Singapore?

Evidence!

Written sources Visual/Pictorial Evidence

Physical Evidence/Artefacts

Oral Evidences

How does an archaeologist work?

• Pre-excavations preparation

• During excavations

• Post-excavations

Pre-Excavations

1. Identify a particular site– An site with significant

religious/cultural value– An area where significant event

has taken place

2. Area of excavation is divided into smaller areas– Easier for archeologist to

determine the location of any artefacts discovered

During Excavation

3. Surface soil is cleared away– Using larger tool like shovels and

hoes– Soil containing artefacts are

slowly cleared using trowels

4. Artefacts are transported to laboratories – Washed and put in a bag– Each bag is labeled with

information detailing the location of where the artefact was found

Trowel

Post-Excavation

5. Artefacts are categorised according to their types.– Such as earthware, porcelain and

metals– They are cleaned, sorted, measured

and photographed

6. Archeologist will ask questions to interpret the findings– Such as ‘What does this artefacts tell

us about the site?’– What is the social and religious

significance of the artefacts

Archaeological Evidence in Singapore

• Archaeologists have unearthed:– Blue and White Chinese porcelain

of the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) and the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

– Other objects such as compass, wine cups and coins from China and Sri Lanka were found.

– 15th Century Thai and Vietnamese porcelain were also unearthed

What do you think all these artefacts tell us

about Singapore?

What is the Difference Between Archaeologists And Historians?

Archaeologists look at:

• Artefacts are physical objects which helps us understand how people lived in the past– ceramics, glass bottles, coins, bricks,

nails, textiles, wood etc– Geology, soil sediment, rocks– Floral and faunal remains such as

animal bones, pollen

• Written documents – maps, diaries, birth, and death

certificates, land deeds, etc

• Inscriptions are written carvings

• Photographs

• Interviews with eyewitnesses

Historians look at:

• Written documents – maps, diaries, birth, and

death certificates, land deeds, etc

• Inscriptions are written carvings

• Photographs

• Interviews with eyewitnesses

Archaeological Excavations In Singapore

• Where are the archaeological sites in Singapore?

- Fort Canning- The new Parliament House- The Old Parliament House, - Empress Place- Duxton Hill- Istana Kampong Glam, - Bras Basah Park- Padang- St Andrew’s Cathedral- Fort Tanjong Katong - Palmer Road

Fort Tanjong Katong

Let’s be an archeologist!

The Singapore Stone

What does the inscription on the stone tell us about

pre-1819 Singapore?

More information about the Singapore Stone

• Singapore Stone was a sandstone monolith with 50 lines of ancient inscriptions

• Found at the mouth of the Singapore River in 1819.• In 1843, it was destroyed by the British in an attempt

to extend Fort Fullerton• Legend tells about how Badang, a very strong man

planted the gigantic stone at the mouth of the Singapore River.

What Happened To Singapore After The 15th Century?

• Towards the end of the 14th Century- a Malay Chief Parameswara came to Singapore– Murdered a local ruler and made himself the new ruler.

• A few years later, Parameswara was driven from Singapura by Javanese troops from Majapahit– Parameswara fled to Muar and then he found the port city of Melaka

• Melaka was captured in 1511 by the Portuguese – Portuguese burnt down a Malay outpost at the mouth of the Singapore

River.

Why did they burn down the outpost at the mouth of the Singapore River?

Do you think the island was

forgotten by traders and seamen?

Evidence!

Written sources Visual/Pictorial Evidence

Physical Evidence/Artefacts

Oral Evidences

Visual Evidence

Old Map

Photographs

Oral Evidences

Interview with eye witness/expert