Jenis Seramik Perdagangan di Semenanjung Malaysia: Berdasarkan Koleksi di Muzium dan Ekskavasi Arkeologi (The typical of Trade Ceramic in Peninsula Malaysia: Based on the Collection from Museum and Archaeology Excavation)

Abstract

ABSTRAK: Pengetahuan asas mengenai setiap jenis seramik perdagangan yang ditemui sama ada melalui kajian arkeologi atau dipamerkan di muzium amat penting bagi penyelidik arkeologi. Ini kerana rata-rata penemuan kajian arkeologi sama ada di darat mahupun di dalam air, banyak ditemukan seramik dalam bentuk serpihan dan kurang yang lengkap bentuk dan sifatnya. Dengan mengenal pasti setiap jenis artifak seramik yang ditemui itu akan membantu penyelidik menyelesaikan beberapa isu. Antaranya isu-isu yang berkaitan dengan asal usul tempat seramik itu dihasilkan, usia, jenis, bentuk, corak hiasan dan fungsi seramik tersebut. Kajian arkeologi di Malaysia sejak 45 tahun yang lampau telah menemukan ribuan serpihan seramik yang diperdagangkan di rantau ini. Pengenalpastian identiti seramik tersebut telah menyelesaikan beberapa isu khususnya tentang jenis, asal-usul, usia serta fungsi seramik tersebut dihasilkan. Beberapa kaedah dikenal pasti bagi mengenal pasti setiap serpihan seramik yang ditemui. Antaranya melalui kaedah analisa kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Pemerhatian secara fizikal melalui kaedah tertentu dan analisa saintifik seperti menggunakan kaedah karbon C14, Thermoluninesen, EXR dan XRD banyak membantu ahli arkeologi mengungkai sejarah, asal-usul dan fungsi setiap penemuan seramik tersebut. Melalui pengecaman setiap seramik yang ditemui itu, secara tidak langsung dapat memberi pandangan baru terhadap interpretasi data arkeologi zaman kini.

Kata kunci: Seramik; arkeologi; perdagangan

ABSTRACT: A basic knowledge on the different types of trade ceramics found as a result of archaeological research or as displayed in museums is very important for a researcher in archaeology. This is because land-based or underwater archaeological investigations frequently uncover lots of ceramics either in small discrete sherds or incomplete vessels. Having the ability to identify each and every type of ceramics found will greatly enhance the ability of the archaeologist to solve several important issues. These issues include the ceramics’ original place of fabrication, age, type, shape or appearance, decoration patterns, and its ultimate function. Archaeological investigations in Malaysia for the past 45 years have uncovered numerous ceramic sherds that have been traded in the Southeast Asian region. The identification of these ceramics have clarified several issues, especially about its type, origins, age as well as the function for which the ceramics in question was fabricated. Several methods were developed for the purpose of identifying each ceramic sherd found. Some these methods involved qualitative and quantitative analyses. Physical observations by means of specific methods and the use of scientific analyses such as C-14 Radio-carbon dating, Thermoluminescence, ERF and XRD have enabled archaeologists to reconstruct the history, origins and functions of each ceramics find. The ability of identify each ceramics find, indirectly, enables us to have a whole new understanding of how archaeological data is interpreted today.

Keywords: Ceramics; archaeology; trade.