chapter 1
DESCRIPTION
Introduction to Singapore HistoryTRANSCRIPT
‘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