Hubungan Jalinan Laluan Sutera Maritim antara Semenanjung Tanah Melayu dengan Siam Sejak Abad 14 Masihi Melalui Bukti Arkeologi Maritim (Maritime Silk Road Link Between the Malay Peninsular and Siam Since the 14th Century Through Maritime Archaeological Evidence)

Abstract

ABSTRAK: Artikel ini membincangkan isu berkenaan hubungan dua hala antara Tanah Melayu dengan Siam berdasarkan bukti arkeologi maritim sejak abad ke-14 Masihi. Kajian arkeologi bawah air oleh Sten Sjostrand (1998-2002) dan terkini oleh penulis sendiri (2015-2016) jelas membuktikan wujud hubungan dua hala dari aspek perdagangan di antara kedua-dua buah negara melalui medium laluan maritim. Kajian arkeologi menyelamat atau “Salvage Archaeology” serta ekskavasi arkeologi bawah air telah berjaya menemukan pelbagai bukti berhubung dengan isu ini. Beberapa tapak kapal karam yang telah diterokai seperti Singtai Wreck, Turiang Wreck, Royal Nanhai Wreck dan terkini Bidong Wreck berjaya membuktikan hubungan dua hala antara Tanah Melayu dan Siam sejak abad ke-14 Masihi melalui artifak perdagangan seperti seramik Sawankhalok, Sukhothai yang banyak ditemui di kesemua tapak kapal karam tersebut. Kajian terkini di beberapa tapak produksi artifak ini baru-baru ini telah menguatkan lagi bukti tersebut. Di Sukhothai, Sawankhalok, Si-Satchanalai dan Menam Noi merupakan tempat pengeluar utama artifak seramik Siam sejak abad ke-14 Masihi lagi dan kebanyakan artifak tersebut dieksport ke merata tempat. Dengan adanya kajian arkeologi maritim sebelum ini dan terkini oleh penulis, dapat menambahkan lagi bukti kukuh selain daripada bukti sumber bertulis yang menyatakan wujudnya hubungan dua hala antara Tanah Melayu dengan Siam.

Kata kunci: Arkeologi maritim; laluan sutera maritim; ekskavasi arkeologi; Salvage arkeologi

ABSTRACT: This article discusses prevalent issue of the two-way relationship between the Malay Peninsula and Thai according to maritime archaeological findings dated from the 14th century AD. Maritime excavations under the wings of Sten Sjostrand (1998-2002) and by the researcher himself (2015-2016) proves that there was indeed a mutual relationship between these two kingdoms involving trades through the waterways. Through “salvage archaeology” coupled with maritime archaeological excavation, has brought forth numerous shreds of evidence associated with the issue at hand. A number of shipwreck sites that were discovered earlier like Sintai Wreck, Turiang Wreck, Royal Nanhai Wreck and the latest Bidong Wreck, has further proven the relations between these two kingdoms since the 14th century AD; through the discovery of artifacts involving trades like ceramic, Sawankhalok and Sukhotai that were abundant on all shipwreck sites. The latest research administrated on a few of these artifact production sites recently has strengthened the proof of their international relations. Sukothai, Sawankhalok, Si-Satchanalai and Menam Noi were the main producer of ceramics back in the day prior to the 14th century AD and most of the artifacts were exported all over the globe. With the help of maritime archaeological research from the past and the recent excavation in this research verified the relationship between the Malay Peninsula and Thai.

Keywords: Archaeology Maritime; maritime silk route; archaeological excavation; archaeological salvage