Volume VIII, Number 2 Oct 2014 - Jan 2015 Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum Newsletter

Southeast Asian Ceramics Found in Penny’s Bay, InsideContents this issue: Hong Kong: Important Evidence of Newsletter articles: Exchange between China and Southeast Asia • Southeast Asian ceramics found in Penny’s Bay, In the absence of detailed historical accounts, Southeast Asian ceramics, Hong Kong...... 1 • Gold leaves and ornaments: as a most durable product from Southeast Asia, found along the maritime mysterious Chinese gold in trade route will be a crucial source for the reconstruction of interaction Khao Chai Son, Phatthalung..5 between China and Southeast Asia • Cultural development of during the 14th to 16th centuries. ancient communities in Phatthalung...... 7 However, most of the researchers have seldom approached the topic Collection review: of Southeast Asian ceramic trade • Brown glazed bowl...... 15 within South China to study its im- News in brief: portant role and attempt to place it • Reporting on celebration of the in the context of world maritime his- resumption of the Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum...... 16 tory. Southeast Asian ceramics were • Gold artifacts from Oc Eo seldom reported in South China. recognised in Vietnam The Penny’s Bay archaeological site Book of Records...... 17 at northeast part of Lantau Island, • ’s stolen past returns home...... 17 located in the present Disneyland • Vietnam needs young Hong Kong, is the handful one. (Figs. Fig. 1 Location of Penny’s Bay by aerial underwater archaeologists..17 1, 2). photograph in 1956. Antiquities and Monuments Office Report no. LU 67, 2001

Editor: • Dr. Pariwat Thammapreechakorn

Editorial staff: • Atthasit Sukkham • Wanaporn Khambut • Utaiwan Chatuporn • Burin Singtoaj • John Toomey • Walter Kassela

Reporters: • Dr. Sharon Wong Wai-yee • Atthasit Sukkham • Amornrat Piyakul • Burin Singtoaj • Dr. Noel Hidalgo Tan Fig. 2 Landscape restoration picture in 2001. Antiquities and Monuments Office [email protected] Report no. LU 67, 2001 Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum ..continue next page 1 Southeast Asian Ceramics Found in Penny’s Bay, Hong Kong

Letter from the Editor This study was supported by the sites in China with co-existing South- CPCE Research Funds, Hong Kong east Asian ceramic finds including The headline of this issue is the first Polytechnic University. The Thailand the Thai, Vietnamese and Bau-Malay important discovery of Chinese gold fieldtrip in 2013 was arranged by At- ceramics in particular. In 1987, 1990, leaves and ornaments in Khao Chai thasit Sukkham, assistant curator of 1992 and 1996, in connection with Son, Phatthalung and even for South- Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum, the new airport project in Lantau east Asia. There was possibly a port to bring my visit to the Thai kilns and Island, and 1999-2002, in connec- town in the area of the Songkhla Lake ceramic artifacts in the museums. Dr. tion with the Hong Kong Disneyland Basin connecting to Chinese Southern Pariwat Thammapreechakorn, the project in Lantau Island, as more Song maritime trade routes between Director of Southeast Asian Ceramic land and underwater archaeologi- the early 12th and late 13th centu- Museum kindly gave his vital sup- cal investigations and excavations ries. Other archaeological evidence port and comments to my research. had been conducted, new types of was also found in Phatthalung as I sincerely thank Ramkhamhaeng Chinese and Southeast Asian ceram- mentioned in the article by Amornrat National Museum, Sawanworanayok ics have emerged for study. A brief Piyakul. We also proudly present a National Museum, Si Satchanalai introduction of Southeast Asian ce- Song Ceramic as one of SEACM col- Historical Park, Thailand and Antiq- ramic finds from the Penny’s Bay lection written by Burin Singtoaj. Later uities and Monuments Office, Hong site is also mentioned by Profes- in the late 14th century the Sukho- Kong for their kindly help in study- sor Lam, but no further research thai Kingdom established an inter- ing ceramics. Dr. Nancy Beaven and on Southeast Asian ceramics has national relation with China, which Veronica Walker, Abhirada Komoot, been done yet, even though they is supported by the discovery of the Tep Sohka and Foo Shu Tieng shared would be crucial materials for the fragments of Early Si Satchanalai jars their knowledge and ideas during the interpretation of the nature of the in Penny’s Bay, Lantau Island, Hong trip. They opened up to me avenues site and the maritime trade during Kong, as mentioned in the article by for this research. I also thank for Pro- the period. While on the quantity of Dr. Sharon Wong Wai-yee. Addition- fessor Peter Lam’s comments to my Southeast Asian ceramic finds in the ally, the SEACM Newsletter also es- final draft of this article. Penny’s Bay, we used the inventory tablishes some new collaboration record listed by Professor Lam in the with the Southeast Asian Archaeology The Penny’s Bay archaeological site 1990 excavation finds as another ex- Newsblog (http://www.southeastasia- has only gradually been recognized ample for analysis. There are at least narchaeology.com/) organizing by Dr. after it was reported by James Hayes 25,985 ceramic shards from the con- Noel Hidalgo Tan who is currently a in 1975, and William Meacham and trolled excavations in the Penny’s senior specialist in archaeology of the Peter Lam in late 1980s. It was the Bay. Five types of Southeast Asian SEAMEO SPAFA Regional Centre for Ar- one of the handful of archaeological ceramics were found, they include chaeology and Fine Arts, Bangkok for sharing the news update to develop the knowledge and understanding of archaeology and cultural heritages for the readers in Southeast Asia and around the world. Lastly, the South- east Asian Ceramics Museum is now open after accomplishing the restora- tion. We are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on Sunday, public holidays and during the semester break periods of the university. The museum loca- tion follows with Google Map. Please email to [email protected] or call to 66 2902 0299 ext. 2890 to check for Chart 1 Proportion of ceramic types from Penny’s Bay in 1990. Peter Lam, opening hours first. Oriental Art, 2, 2001 2 continue next page.. Southeast Asian Ceramics Found in Penny’s Bay, Hong Kong earthenware, stoneware and mono- from utilitarian storage or cooking on Chinese blue and white porcelain chrome, polychrome, and blue and vessels such as covered jars, narrow- place the dating in the Ming Chen- white porcelains. The largest cat- neck jars and basins. While Chinese ghua reign around 1465-1487 and egory of ceramics by quantity in ceramics bowls, dishes, covered jar- the calibrated age from C-14 dating the Penny’s Bay is brown and black lets and covered boxes are the ma- from the Chinese University of Hong shards including both Chinese and jor forms of found Kong is around 1410-1524. Since the Thai wares around 1,727 pieces, in Penny’s Bay (Fig. 3). The Chinese Southeast Asian ceramic shards co- while Bau-Malay earthenware shards ceramics analysis can also help us existed with the Chinese blue and of around 148 pieces make up the to find out the dating of Southeast white porcelain in the same stratigra- second largest category. Thai Pitsa- Asian ceramics from the site. Based phy, we can infer that such Southeast nulok stoneware shards of 88 pieces on the stylistic analysis of blue and Asian ceramics were dated around and Vietnamese shards 36 white porcelain in particular the 1986 the 15th to 16th centuries. pieces fall into the third and fourth and 1990 excavation, we find more group respectively. There are a few than 10,000 ceramic shards dating Comparing the ceramic finds of Thai pieces of Vietnamese blue and white between the late 15th and early stoneware from the kiln sites and porcelain (Chart 1). We should note 16th centuries, most of them are the intact ceramic collections in the that the field records or excavation Jingdezhen blue and white porcelain Southeast Asian Ceramic Museum, report are incomplete, the percent- shards dating from the late 15th to we can identify four types of South- age of Thai sherds may not be ac- early 16th centuries. The inscriptions east Asian ceramic found in Penny’s curate. Future analysis on Southeast Fig. 3 Asian ceramics finds at the site may Chinese ceramics found in change the proportion of ceramic an original position of the types. Penny’s Bay excavation. Antiquities Southeast Asian Ceramic Analysis and Monuments Office, Hong Kong From Chart 1, the small proportion (around 0.7%) of Southeast Asian ceramics in the total assemblage of ceramics found in the Penny’s Bay suggested that the Southeast Asian ceramics were not a common ce- ramic type in the site. But the small percentage of Southeast Asian ce- ramics does not mean that they are insignificant for our understanding of the nature of the site. On one hand, we should focus more on the coex- Fragments of “Bau-Malay” Fragment of Early Si Satchanalai istence of Southeast Asian and Chi- earthenware covered jar in the stoneware jar in the Penny’s Bay. nese ceramics in Penny’s Bay and Penny’s Bay. Zhou Ruoshui, Zhou Ruoshui, Antiquary, 1991 the phenomenon of the consistent Antiquary, 1991; AMO report LU35 presence of imported Southeast Asian ceramics rather than empha- sizing the proportions of local Chi- Early Si Satchanalai nese ceramics, in particular, the blue stoneware jar, 14th to and white porcelain by quantity in Earthenware covered pots from 15th centuries. Penny’s Bay. underwater excavation in Chonburi, Thailand.

Most of the Southeast Asian ceram- Fig. 4 Comparison of Southeast Asian ceramic finds between Penny’s Bay (top ics consist of the stoneware shards row) and Thailand (bottom row).

..continue next page 3 Southeast Asian Ceramics Found in Penny’s Bay, Hong Kong

Fragment of Middle Si Fragment of Bang Rachan Midde Si Satchanalai Bang Rachan (Mae Nam Noi) Satchanalai stoneware (Mae Nam Noi) stoneware brown glazed stoneware stoneware jar, jar in the Penny’s Bay. jar in the Penny’s Bay. jar, 15th to 17th centuries. 15th to 17th centuries. Freer Sackler Galleries no. S2005.308 (left)

Fig. 5 Comparison of Southeast Asian ceramic finds between Penny’s Bay (two left) and Thailand (three right).

Bay. They are the “Bau-Malay” the first Portuguese to arrive in Chi- sense, the maritime trade route may earthenware covered jars, Early Si na as mentioned in JHKAS (1986-88, originally have sailed along or from Satchanalai stoneware narrow-neck 159-160) written by Peter Lam. the Gulf of Thailand to the South stoneware jars, Middle Si Satchanalai China Sea, then the northeast part brown glazed jars and Bang Rachan Based on our discoveries and analy- of Penny’s Bay, for Guangzhou and (Mae Nam Noi) brown glazed jars sis of Southeast Asian ceramic finds, other coastal cities of South China (Figs. 4, 5). Penny’s Bay was probably a feeding as their destination during the late point connected with the private 15th to early 16th centuries as the Further Discussion trade in Guangdong, in particular, result of the collapse of tributary About the nature of Penny’s Bay, it the trade between South China and and private trades which were com- can be concluded that two major hy- Southeast Asia. The evidence in- mon along the coastal cities, for ex- potheses developed from different cludes only a small percentage of ample, Guangzhou, the international researchers in the previous studies: Southeast Asian ceramics found in port connecting with the maritime Penny’s Bay, but they are all shards, trade of South China and Southeast Hypothesis 1: Penny’s Bay was a no intact objects, which means they Asia. As the result of the collapse port connected with ceramic private may have been used as utilitarian of tributary trade, private trade was trade in Guangdong and Southeast vessels by merchants from South- common along the coastal cities, Asia during the 14th to 16th centu- east Asia for daily use. No Thai ce- for example, Guangzhou, the inter- ries. ladon was found, yet this was the national port connecting with South most numerous cargo item found China and Southeast Asia maritime Hypothesis 2: it provided a sheltered in the shipwrecks in Southeast Asian trade. A clear picture of the nature mooring that ceramics unearthed at maritime area from the 15th to 16th of the Penny’s Bay will emerge from Penny’s Bay were probably damaged centuries. future integrated analysis of ceram- and discarded from a trading junk ics trade between South China and during a voyage from Guangzhou to As mentioned before, only “Bau-Ma- Southeast Asia. a destination in Southeast Asia. lay” earthenware, Early Si Satchan- Dr. Sharon Wong Wai-yee alai (Ko Noi) stoneware, Middle Si [email protected] The supporting evidence includes Satchanalai (Ko Noi) brown glazed the influx of Chinese trade porcelain wares, Bang Rachan (Mae Nam Noi) in Penny’s Bay and the discarding pits brown glazed wares, Vietnamese found in the site (Fig. 3). The histori- celadon and Vietnamese blue and cal documentation stated that in the white porcelain were unearthed. whole of China in the Ming Dynasty, Also, their shapes were mainly for Guangzhou was still the only center utilitarian ware, such as storage jars, of foreign trade and it was visited by pots with lids, and bowls. In this

4 Gold Leaves and Ornaments: Mysterious Chinese Gold in Khao Chai Son, Phatthalung, Southern Thailand

Research Courtesy by the Fine Arts Department of Thailand

In May 2014, the Fine Arts Depart- ment of Thailand (FAD) was shocked when many television channels reported a news update about Mr. Ravi Thapsang having discovered some gold leaves and ornaments while cultivating his palm plantation. Fig. 1 Various types of Southern Song monetary gold leaves, Khao Chai Son. After that, many treasure hunters National Museum, Bangkok stampeded into the discovery site and greatly looted them in Khao for site protection and requested including a bracelet, pendant and Chai Son, Phatthalung on the Song- that all evidence be returned to earring (Fig. 4). In addition the khla Lake Basin, southern Thailand. the archaeologists. The evidence excavation unearthed small rounded that archaeologists reclaimed was beads and 5 pieces of flattened gold The Director-General of the FAD comprised of 14 sheets of rectan- bar (Fig. 5). ordered the 14th Regional Office gular gold leave embossed with of the FAD in Nakhon Si Thammarat Chinese characters (Figs. 1, 2), Dr. Achirat Chaiyapotpanit, a lecturer to solve this problem by rescue frowzy and folded in the middle specializing in Chinese arts and cul- excavation and also sought some and on each of four edges (Fig. 3), ture, Department of Art History, Fac- assistance from the army and police 6 pieces from various gold ornaments ulty of Archaeology, Silpakorn Unive

Fig. 2 Twin sheets of Southern Song Fig. 3 Folding Southern Song monetary Fig. 4 Gold ornaments, Khao Chai Son. monetary gold leave, Khao Chai Son. gold leaves, Khao Chai Son. National National Museum, Bangkok National Museum, Bangkok Museum, Bangkok

Fig. 5 Flattened gold bars, Khao Chai Son. National Museum, Bangkok

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rsity, Bangkok, identified all gold or cucurbit were also reclaimed from the Middle East, Indian and Chinese leaves to be monetary gold leaves the treasure hunters. They were pro- cultures from each other (Fig. 7). produced in Hangzhou, which was duced with high craftsmanship and in the territory of the Southern Song exquisite fineness (Fig. 4) and it is as- This is the first important discovery Dynasty from 1127 to 1279, and de- sumed that these ornaments were of Chinese monetary gold leaves and termined that they were used in a intended as imperial ornaments or ornaments in Southeast Asia ever; combinational currency system. for use in some ritual events. but it is still a mystery how they were imported and for what purpose they According to the categorization of They were displayed in the special were to be used. Current interpreta- monetary gold leaves in Chinese mu- exhibit of Museum, Archaeology and tion believes that they were possibly seums, a complete gold leave is a History: Following in the Footsteps carried by Chinese merchants who rectangular gold sheet leave, folded of HRH Princess Maha Charki Sirind- travelled on maritime trade routes, like an accordion; and each sheet horn at Issaravinitchai Hall, National linking some ports in the territory of is able to be split into smaller rect- Museum, Bangkok, to celebrate Thai the Southern Song Dynasty and the angular gold leaves for use as cur- Cultural Heritage Conservation Day, Srivijaya Kingdom, or that they were rency of some denomination. Most 2014, which continues from October possibly a product for sale or tribute of them were discovered only in 3, 2014 to January 18, 2015. to give to some authorities for some the coastal territory of the Southern purposes in trade and political rela- Song Dynasty, specifically in Anhui The Songkhla Lake Basin situated tions. and Zhejiang coastal provinces, and on the middle part of Malay Penin- are preserved and displayed in the sula is thought to have been a part Wenzhou Museum and the Zhejiang of the Srivijaya Kingdom, which grew Provincial Museum nowadays. Also, up between the 8th and 13th cen- the gold leaves discovered in Khao turies. The Chinese archives dated Chai Son, Phatthalung, had already it to 605 and recorded its name as been separated into the gold leaves “Chih-t’u”, and Claudius Ptolemae- of smaller denominations. Moreover, us (Ptolemy)’s book, written around some of them were embossed with the 7th century, recorded it as “Kole two Chinese words comprised of Polis”. Also, some historians, George Fig. 6 A comparison of Southern “霸北街西” (Ba Bei Jie Xi) meaning Coedès and Mom Chao Chanchirayu Song monetary gold leaves: Wenzhou 韩 Museum (left) and Khao Chai Son “east of the Ba Bei Road” and “ Ratchani, assumed both words could (right). 四郎十分金” (Han Silang Shifen Jin) possibly be Bang Kaeo in Khao Chai on the center meaning “Mr. Han Son, Phatthalung. There is an impor- guaranteed these leaves were made tant stupa in the Khian Bang Kaeo of the highest percentage gold with Temple. It is a bell-shaped stupa around ten (no exact unit of mea- influenced by the stupa in Polonna- surement or value)” (Figs. 2, 3, 6). A ruwa, Sri Lanka, in the 12th century, few Chinese words on them are, as and it was comparable to that of the yet, unable to be read because they Phra Mahathat Temple in Nakhon Si melted and deteriorated. However, Thammarat situated on the north Dr. Chaiyapotpanit believes that the and not far from Khao Chai Son. Ba Bei Road is located in the present Both stupas were built sometime in area of Xihu or West Lake, Hangzhou, the transitional period between the Zhejiang which was a place for gold Srivijaya and Sukhothai periods dur- Fig. 7 Map of Songkhla Lake Basin on mining and production. ing the 12th to 13th centuries and the middle part of Malay Peninsula. are assumed to be religious centers Google Map A gold ornamental bracelet with a of habitation or ports on the middle Naga-headed terminal and a pendant part of the Malay Peninsula, which Atthasit Sukkham and earring in the shape of a gourd is regarded as a peninsula buffering [email protected]

6 Cultural Development of Ancient Communities in Phatthalung Prior to the Mid-18th Century

Phatthalung is situated on the Song- develop during the following three form, short neck and straight spout khla Lake Basin in the middle part periods: of which some were found at Jong of the east coast of the Malay Pen- Tanon in Khao Chai Son, Phatth- insula. Opposite is the Sathing Phra During 4,000-2,000 Years BP alung near the Songkhla Lake (Fig. Peninsula which is on another side of or Prehistoric Period 1) and the unglazed bottles with a the Songkhla Lake as the headland The communities in this period were long neck and incised vertical lines and mouth of the lake connected to a hunting-gathering society. The key around the shoulder of which some the Gulf of Thailand. On the west of sites of this period are comprised of were found in Ko Mak in Pak Pay- Phatthalung is the Nakhon Si Tham- Khao Chai Son and the area of the oon, Phatthalung (Fig. 2). Based on marat Mountain Range from which present-day downtown of Phatth- a comparative study of the ceram- a number of short rivers originate, alung or called district. The ics and the technology of the kilns, running from the mountain to the pieces were a diagnostic arti- they were dated to the 11th to 12th alluvial plain, before flowing to the fact, in that only a low-fired earthen- centuries. lake on the east. These geographic ware pottery was produced by open- characteristics make the area suit- air firing to use in the communities. able for settlement and agriculture They were also unpainted and im- which is confirmed by the discover- pressed with cord mark designs. ies of many ancient cities around the lake developed in various periods, The 8th to 13th Centuries or especially the Srivijaya (the 8th to Srivijaya Period 13th centuries), Sukhothai (the 13th Many communities in this period took to 15th centuries) and Ayutthaya shape on alluvial plains and lagoon- (the 14th to 18th centuries) periods. al deposits. Some communities dug According to archaeological research, the canals to connect to the Songkh- the cities around the lake connected la Lake, especially the canal in Bang Fig. 1 Pa-o unglazed kendi, 11th to 12th centuries, Songkhla Lake near Khao with each other by using the lake Kaeo in Khao Chai Son. There can be Chai Son. for travelling and they also linked to found the evidence of cultural rela- maritime routes on the Gulf of Thai- tions between this area and other land and the South China Sea that contemporary communities under continued onto some trans-peninsu- the Srivijaya and Dvaravati Kingdoms lar travel between the east and west on the lower Malay Peninsula in Ma- coasts of the peninsula and transit laysia and central Thailand. The diag- between the East and the West for a nostic artifacts are comprised of the long period of history. votive tablets found in Khao Okthalu and Khuha Sawan Caves, the bronze The landscape of Phatthalung was figurines of Avalokitesvara Bodhisat- suitable for settlement and was a tva in Srivijaya style found at Kuan strategic location for trade because Rae in Mueang district, Phatthalung of its rich natural resources, specifi- and especially the ceramics. The ce- Fig. 2 Pa-o unglazed bottle, 11th to 12th cally rice, and various kinds of min- ramics are as follows: centuries, Pak Payoon. eral, forest and animal products, for Pa-o ceramics were produced at instance. There was a great location the Pa-o kilns in Singha Nakhon, Khmer ceramics found on this for cultural exchanges and transmis- Songkhla on Sathing Phra Peninsular. area were identified as having been sions with other cities in the region The type of ceramic is comprised of produced at the Phnom Dangrek and outside that made the area the unglazed kendi with a globular kilns in Buriram during the Angkorian

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Fig. 3 Phnom Dangrek brown glazed jarlets, 12th to 13th centuries, Khao Chai Son.

period. They are comprised of the ceramics were possible to ship by Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period brown glazed jarlets with incised the maritime route. around the first half of 9th century designs (Fig. 3) and the fragment of contemperary with Srivijaya period. brown glazed jars, which were found Chinese ceramics of Tang, Five Dy- Southern Song ceramics, com- at Bang Kaeo in Khao Chai Son, Phat- nasties and Ten Kingdoms and prised of a Dehua white glazed bot- thalung. Basically, the Khmer ce- Southern Song periods were found tle (Fig. 5) was found in Ban Pon near ramics were dated to the 12th to there, whose details follow: Bang Kaeo in Khao Chai Son, a Cizao 13th centuries. However, previous Heshan green glazed ewer with a brown glazed storage jar with six an- researchers believe they were pro- globular form, brownish green glaze, imal-mark handles, molded decora- duced for domestic usage only and four horizontal handles and short tion of dragon and yellowish brown that were usually found on north- spout (Fig. 4) was recovered from glaze (Fig. 6) was found in Chai Buri, eastern Thailand and Cambodia; but the Songkhla Lake near Bang Kaeo Phatthalung. There ceramics were this case suggests the Khmer ceram- in Khao Chai Son, Phatthalung, which dated to the second half of 12th ics were also exported for other cit- were dated in the Late Tang to Five century. ies in different region or even differ- ent kingdoms in southern Thailand; and, so, their transportation from the production area in northeastern Thailand to the Malay Peninsula is still mysterious. At that stage, these

Fig. 4 Heshan green glazed ewer of the Fig. 5 Dehua white glazed bottle of the Fig. 6 Cizao brown glazed storage jar Late Tang Dynasty to Five Dynasties Southern Song Dynasty, second half of of the Southern Song Dynasty, second and Ten Kingdoms, first half of 9th 12th century, Khao Chai Son. half of 12th century, Chai Buri. century, Songkhla Lake near Khao Chai Son.

8 continue next page.. Cultural Development of Ancient Communities in Phatthalung

The 14th to 18th Centuries or that the lake had two exits to the wall, especially Pra Rot, Kuan Rae Sukhothai and Ayutthaya Periods sea. The first exit can be interpreted and Chai Buri Cities. Large numbers According to many ancient maps and as that which was situated on the of ceramics from several origins were historical records by foreign travelers south of Nakhon Si Thammarat Bay found during this period as follows: between the 17th and 19th centu- around the present-day district of Si Satchanalai ceramics were pro- ries, the Sathing Phra Peninsular was Pak Phanang in Nakhon Si Thamma- duced at the Si Satchanalai kilns in believed to be an island landscape. rat. However, the current landscape Sukhothai. The products found in For example, F. A. Neale had voy- showed that this exit seems to be Phatthalung include an unglazed aged from Nakhon Si Thammarat to a river. The second exit was the big jar produced during the late 14th Phatthalung by a vessel in 1837. He mouth of the lake situated on the to mid-15th centuries found at Chai called the Sathing Phra “Tantalem south in the present-day district of Buri (Fig. 7), the Early Si Satchanalai Island”. Then 50 years later, Waryn- Singha Nakhon in Songkhla, where brown glazed jarlets and jars with gton Smith, who was a naval officer the Hua Khao Dang Mountain was four handles produced in the early and mining engineer who worked situated, and this way is the only exit 15th century (Fig. 8), the Si Satchana- for the government of Siam, tried to to the sea nowadays. lai classic celadon dishes and bowls travel this route; but a vessel could with engraved chrysanthemum, lo- not pass through the lake. The late During this period, Phatthalung had tus petal and classic scroll designs, 19th century map made by Captain been abundantly occupied. People a Si Satchanalai classic celadon jar- A. J. Loftus showed the surroundings were still settled on the alluvial plain let with two handles produced in of the lake as similar to the current and lagoonal deposit. Some cities the first half of 15th century (Figs. 9, condition. This was also important were formulated in such a way that 10), a Si Satchanalai post-classic ce- evidence that supported the theory they established a moat and a city ladon dish with incised cross-hatch

Fig. 8 Early Si Satchanalai brown glazed jarlet found in Khao Chai Son (left) and early Si Satchanalai brown glazed jars found in Songkhla Lake (center and right), early 15th century. Fig. 7 Si Satchanalai unglazed jar, late 14th to mid-15th centuries, Chai Buri.

Fig. 9 Si Satchanalai classic celadon dish and bowls, first half of 15th century, Fig. 10 Si Satchanalai classic celadon Khao Chai Son. jarlet, first half of 15th century, Khao Chai Son.

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designs on the interior (Fig. 11); two handles (Figs. 14, 15) that were pro- Bang Pun ceramics were produced Si Satchanalai post-classic celadon duced during the late 15th to mid- at the Bang Pun kilns in Suphanburi. bottles in gourd shape with two 16th centuries, a Late Si Satchanalai Especially an unglazed jar with im- handles, incised triangle designs and white glazed jar produced during the pressed “Pho” leaf designs and horizontal parallel lines and an ovoid late 15th to mid-16th centuries (Fig. carved horizontal parallel lines dat- bottle with two handles and incised 16), a Late Si Satchanalai underglaze horizontal parallel lines around the black covered box and covered jar shoulder (Figs. 12, 13) that were with flower design (Figs. 17, 18). They dated to the late 15th to mid-16th all were found at Bang Kaeo and centuries, the Late Si Satchanalai the Songkhla Lake in Khao Chai Son brown glazed jarlets in gourd shape and Kuan Mapraw in Mueang district, and bottles in ovoid shape with two Phatthalung.

Fig. 12 Si Satchanalai post-classic Fig. 13 Si Satchanalai post-classic celadon bottles in gourd shape, late celadon bottles, late 15th to mid-16th 15th to mid-16th centuries, Bang Kaeo centuries, Khao Chai Son. and Songkhla Lake in Khao Chai Son.

Fig. 11 Si Satchanalai post-classic celadon dish, late 15th to mid-16th centuries, Khao Chai Son.

Fig. 14 Late Si Satchanalai brown Fig. 16 Late Si Satchanalai white glazed glazed jarlets in gourd shape, late 15th jar, late 15th to mid-16th centuries, to mid-16th centuries, Khao Chai Son. Khao Chai Son.

Fig. 15 Late Si Satchanalai brown glazed bottle, late 15th to mid-16th centuries, Khao Chai Son.

Fig. 18 Late Si Satchanalai Fig. 17 Late Si Satchanalai underglaze underglaze black covered black covered box, late 15th to mid-16th jar, late 15th to mid-16th centuries, Khao Chai Son. centuries, Khao Chai Son.

10 continue next page.. Cultural development of ancient communities in Phatthalung

ed from the late 14th to mid-15th centuries was found at Chai Buri in Mueang district (Fig. 19). Bang Rachan (Mae Nam Noi) ceram- ics were produced at the Bang Ra- chan (Mae Nam Noi) kilns in Singburi. The product found in Phatthalung Fig. 22 Bang Rachan unglazed storage was comprised of an unglazed bot- jars, 15th to 17th centuries, found from tle with incised horizontal parallel Fig. 19 Fragment of Bang Pun unglazed Songkhla Lake near Bang Kaeo in Khao lines around the shoulder found at jar, late 14th to mid-15th centuries, Chai Chai Son. Buri. Chai Buri in Mueang district (Fig. 20), an unglazed bottle with ovoid shape and two handles found in the Song- khla Lake near Bang Kaeo (Fig. 21), two unglazed storage jars with in- cised horizontal parallel lines around the shoulder and four handles found in the Songkhla Lake near Bang Kaeo (Fig. 22), the brown glazed storage jars with four handles found at Bang Kaeo and the Khao Or Temple (Fig. 23). All of them were dated from the 15th to 17th centuries. Local earthenware was produced at local kilns. Especially pots with impressed designs were found in the Fig. 20 Bang Rachan unglazed bottle, Songkhla Lake near Bang Kaeo and 15th to 17th centuries, Chai Buri. Chai Buri. Their shape was similar to the earthenware pot commonly Fig. 23 Bang Rachan brown glazed found from many cities under the storage jars, 15th to 17th centuries, Khao in southern and Or Temple. central Thailand, including the ship- wrecks sunk in the Gulf of Thailand. Chinese ceramics of the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties found in Phatth- alung follow: Yuan ceramics are comprised of the Longquan celadon bowls and jarlets Fig. 24 Longquan celadon bowls of the dated to the first half of 14th cen- Yuan Dynasty, first half of 14th century, tury (Figs. 24, 25) were found at Bang Khao Chai Son. Kaeo and a Tiedian brown glazed jar in ovoid shape with four horizontal loop handles dated to the early 14th century (Fig. 26) was found in the Ya Tei Bay, off the coast of Pak Payoon. Ming ceramics were comprised of Fig. 21 Bang Rachan unglazed bottle, Fig. 25 Longquan celadon jarlets of the a Longquan celadon dish with en- 15th to 17th centuries, Songkhla Lake Yuan Dynasty, first half of 14th century, graved classic scroll designs found near Bang Kaeo in Khao Chai Son. Khao Chai Son. at Bang Kaeo and dated from the

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late 14th to mid-15th centuries, the Longquan celadon bowls with en- graved lotus petal, a band of Chinese key fret and classic scroll designs (Fig. 27) found at Bang Kaeo and dated from the late 14th to mid-15th cen- turies; two Jizhou brown glazed jar- lets (Fig. 28) found at Bang Kaeo and dated from the late 14th to mid-15th centuries, the Jingdezhen blue and Fig. 31 Jingdezhen blue and white jarlets of the Ming Dynasty, late 15th white fragment of bowls dated to to early 16th centuries, Bang Kaeo and the mid-15th century found at Bang Songkhla Lake in Khao Chai Son. Kaeo (Fig. 29), the Jingdezhen blue and white fragments of bowls, dishes Fig. 26 Tiedian brown glazed jar of the Yuan Dynasty, early 14th century, Ya Tei and jarlets dated from the late 15th Bay in Pak Phayoon. to early 16th centuries found at Bang Kaeo and recovered from the Song- khla Lake (Figs. 30, 31), Pinghe (for- merly called “Zhangzhou”) blue and white bowls and jarlets dated from the late 16th to early 17th centuries Fig. 32 Pinghe blue and white bowl found at Bang Kaeo, Chai Buri, and and jarlet of the Ming Dynasty, late recovered from the Songkhla Lake 16th to early 17th centuries, Songkhla (Figs. 32, 34), the Jingdezhen over- Lake in Khao Chai Son. Fig. 27 Longquan celadon dish (left) glaze enameled bowls dated to the and bowl (right) of the Ming Dynasty, late 14th to mid-15th centuries, Bang early 16th century found at Bang Kaeo in Khao Chai Son. Kaeo, Kuan Rae and Kuan San (Fig. 35), and two Pinghe overglaze enam-

Fig. 33 Fragments of Pinghe blue and white bowl and jarlet of the Fig. 28 Two Jizhou brown glazed Ming Dynasty, late 16th to early 17th jarlets of the Ming Dynasty, late 14th to centuries, Bang Kaeo in Khao Chai mid-15th centuries, Bang Kaeo in Khao Son. Chai Son.

Fig. 29 Fragments of Jingdezhen blue Fig. 30 Fragments of Jingdezhen Fig. 34 Pinghe blue and white bowls and white of bowl of the Ming Dynasty, blue and white bowl and dish of the of the Ming Dynasty, late 16th to early mid-15th century, Bang Kaeo in Khao Ming Dynasty, late 15th to early 16th 17th centuries, Chai Buri. Chai Son. centuries, Bang Kaeo and Songkhla Lake in Khao Chai Son.

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eled bowls dated from the late 16th in northern Vietnam. They were to early 17th centuries found at Chai comprised of a green glazed jarlet Buri (Fig. 36). (Fig. 42), blue and white hexagonal- Qing ceramics are comprised of shaped jarlets and globular-shaped the Jingdezhen blue and white frag- jarlet (Figs. 43, 44) with floral scroll ment of bowls found at Chai Buri and cross-hatch designs in panels, Fig. 36 Pinghe overglaze enameled (Fig. 37), two Dehua blue and white two blue and white covered jars (Fig. bowls of the Ming Dynasty, late 16th bowls found at Kuan Prong Temple 45) with flower designs, ruyi lappet to early 17th centuries, Chai Buri site in in Mueang district (Fig. 38), the Dehua and classic scroll in panels. All of Mueang district. white glazed jarlets, cups and human them were found at Bang Kaeo and figurines found at Chai Buri (Fig. 39- dated to the 15th century. 40), Jingdezhen overglaze enameled fragment of bowls found at Chai Buri The ceramic finds show the relation- (Fig. 41). All of them were dated ship between the ancient communi- around the late 17th to early 18th ties in Phatthalung and theirs neigh- centuries. bors, especially Sathing Phra and Nakhon Si Thammarat which were Vietnamese ceramics of the Le Dynasty the significant trading centers on the were produced at th Chu Dau kilns east coast of the Malay Peninsula between the 8th and 18th centu- ries. It is likely that before the 14th century the communities in Phatth- alung had a role in providing natural resources (i.e. rice, mineral, and for- est and animal products) for Sathing Phra which had been a flourishing port town connected to maritime trade route. During the early historic period around the 8th to 13th cen- Fig. 37 Fragments of Jingdezhen blue Fig. 39 Dehua white glazed jarlet of the and white bowl of the Qing Dynasty, Qing Dynasty, late 17th to early 18th turies, it is probable that Bang Kaeo late 17th to early 18th centuries, Chai centuries, Chai Buri. was the point of transport for natural Buri. products from the land to Sathing Phra via the Songkhla Lake. In the 14th century, Phatthalung was a de- pendent city under Nakhon Si Tham- marat which came to be the most powerful city in that region and to be the political and religious center in the middle part of Malay Penin- Fig. 38 Dehua blue and white bowls Fig. 40 Dehua white glazed cup and sula, ruled by Sukhothai for short of the Qing Dynasty, late 17th to early human figurine of the Qing Dynasty, time. Since the 15th century onward, 18th centuries, Kuan Prong Temple in late 17th to early 18th centuries, Chai Mueang district. Buri. most of cities in southern Thailand went under the political control of the Ayutthaya Kingdom including Fig. 41 Fragments of Jingdezhen overglaze enameled bowl of the Qing Phatthalung as well as Nakhon Si Dynasty, late 17th to early 18th centuries, Thammarat which was listed to be a Chai Buri. chief city used to control other de- pendent cities on the middle part of the peninsula. Hence, the arts and

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Fig. 42 Chu Dau green glazed jarlet of culture in Phatthalung had been in- the Le Dynasty, 15th century, Khao Chai fluenced by both Nakhon Si Tham- Son. marat and Ayutthaya, specifically the Buddha images, Sema stones (Bud- dhist boundary markers), Buddhist temples and other infrastructures. Various types of ceramics found in Phatthalung were imported from Chi- na, Vietnam and central and north- ern Thailand especially during the 14th to 18th centuries as well as this period marked as huge shipment. They show that Phatthalung came to be a more significant city and to be one of the port towns under the Ayutthaya Kingdom instead of Sath- ing Phra. By the discovery of complex artifacts and various kinds of archae- ological sites, Bang Kaeo in Khao Chai Son and Chai Buri in Mueang district are identified to be center of the city. Fig. 43 Chu Dau blue and white hexagonal-shaped jarlets of the Le Dynasty, 15th century, Khao Chai Son. Amornrat Piyakul [email protected]

Fig. 44 Chu Dau blue and white globular-shaped jarlets of the Le Dynasty, 15th century, Khao Chai Son.

Fig. 45 Chu Dau blue and white covered jars of the Le Dynasty, 15th century, Khao Chai Son. 14

Collection Review

Brown Glazed Bowl This is a small, shallow conical bowl better than any other color. with a wide mouth rim and unglazed Jizhou kilns, Jiangxi shallow foot rim. Fine white yellow- In the Southern Song Dynasty (1127- Southern Song Dynasty, 1127-1279 ish clay with dark brown glossy glaze 1279), when Zen Buddhism became from a mixture of feldspar, limestone very popular, Japanese Buddhist Diameter 11.5 cm. and iron oxide are characteristic of monks visited the Tianmu Mountain Height 4.5 cm. the clay body. in Fujian, China, to study Zen. When returning to Japan they brought back Recovered from the Mae Klong Inside, the bowl is decorated with dark brown glazed wares from the Ji- River, Ratchaburi paper-cut resist technique, in which anyang kilns and it was called “Thien Southeast Asian Ceramics the paper is patterned with a knife or Mo”, or “Temmoku” in Japan pro- Museum, Bangkok University scissors as the most popular deco- nunciation. rative technique use at Jizhou kilns. The paper pattern was attached on As a result the word “Temmoku” is the surface, then coated with brown derived from the name of a temple glaze and the paper pattern was re- on Mount Tianmu in China. This is a moved to make the area of patterns bowl that is used in the tea ceremo- appear on the bowl. After firing, the ny. Later scholars who have studied color became darker and contrasted Japanese tea ceremony porcelains with the brown glaze, making the found that they were produced pattern look clear and beautiful. from the kilns both in northern and southern China. Brown glazed bowls Tea culture spread into China in were produced at the Jizhou kilns in about the 9th to 10th centuries due Jiangxi called “Northern Temmoku” to their faith in the Zen school of and brown glazed porcelain was pro- Mahayana Buddhism, resulting in the duced at the Jianyang kilns in Fujian production of black glazed bowls for called “Southern Temmoku”. the tea ceremony. It was believed Burin Singtoaj that black color would retain heat [email protected]

15 News in Brief

Reporting on Celebration of the Resumption of the South- east Asian Ceramics Museum On November 21st, 2014, Bangkok University celebrated “the Retro- spective to the Southeast Asian Ce- ramics Museum” on the occasion of the resumption of the museum’s exhibitions of “the Development of Historical Ceramics in Thailand and Ceramic Trade in Southeast Asia dur- ing the 15th to 18th centuries”

Back to October, 2011, the Southeast Fig. 1 Group photo of speakers and executives of BU: (from L) Dr. Pariwat Asian Ceramics Museum (SEACM) in Thammapreechakorn, director of SEACM, Pim Praphai Bisalputra, Asst. Prof. Bangkok University, Rangsit Campus Dr. Boonrod Vuthisatkul, vice president for Rangsit Campus of BU, Praprute Sukolratanametee, Dr. Mathana Santiwat, president of BU, Assoc. Prof. San- is an underground museum situated garoon Kanopongchai, Wiyada Thongmitr, Assoc. Prof. Piyasaeng Chantara- in the areas affected by the 2011 wongpaisarn and Patipat Pumpongpaet flood crisis as one of biggest crisis in the . At the time, the museum staffs moved all ceram- ics in the exhibition to preserve in a storage room on the 3rd floor of the SEACM annex before the waters came; so only the display and furni- ture in the exhibition were damaged. Fig. 2 Bisalputra giving her presenta- Fig. 3 Dr. Thammapreechakorn guid- The crisis abated in January, 2012, tion. ing the guests of honor. and the university executive board decided to restore all classrooms 2014, was divided into two sessions Thammapreechakorn, “The Ways of and education buildings first, and including the morning talk and the Life in Ayutthaya” by Associate Pro- the board approved the restoration afternoon welcome cocktail social fessor Sangaroon Kanopongchai and of the SEACM by early 2014. The res- with curator’s tour. The talk was or- Wiyada Thongmitr, “Chinese Ceram- toration used the same location and ganized on the topic of “Ayutthaya ics for the Royal Court of Siam” by plan in the construction of the main and China: Relations, Traces, Ways of Pim Praphai Bisalputra and “Chinese structure and interior decoration, Life and Arts” wherein seven special- Ceramic Architectural Decoration on but Dr. Pariwat Thammapreecha- ists in China studies and archaeology Ayutthaya’s Architecture” by Asso- korn, who is the director of SEACM, gave their presentations, especially ciate Professor Piyasaeng Chantara- revised some updated stories and “Relations between Thai and China wongpaisarn. Other group of guests changed some ceramics to display in in the Ayutthaya Period: Interpreta- attended the welcome cocktail with the exhibition for most attractions. tions from Chinese Archives” by Pra- curator’s tour in the afternoon. Most Moreover, Bangkok University also prute Sukolratanametee, “Chinese of the guests sent their heartiest invested in the project of a flood Residence in Ayutthaya” by Patipat congratulations for the superb occa- wall, which is already completed, to Pumpongpaet, “Culture Contact be- sion of the resumption and enjoyed protect the campus from floods in tween China and Siam in the Ayut- the curator’s tour. near future. thaya Period: Using Chinese Iron Southeast Asian Bells to Review of Chronology and Ceramics Museum, The celebration on November 21st, Cultural Exchange” by Dr. Pariwat Bangkok University

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Gold Artifacts from Oc Eo Thailand’s Stolen Past Returns La Trobe University, Australia, at the Recognised in Vietnam Book of Home International Symposium on Under- Records More than 500 looted artifacts from water Archaeology in Vietnam and prehistoric archaeological sites Southeast Asia, held in Quang Ngai, around Thailand were returned by Vietnam on October 15th, 2014. the US Government “Human resources play a key role in For years, more than 500 artifacts underwater archaeological science; a including pottery, bronze tools, new science to Vietnam. A proactive sandstone moulds and glass orna- boost in studies and research de- ments, have been offering a visual voted to underwater heritage in Viet- but illegal treat to visitors at the nam is needed. Vietnam should cre- Bowers Museum in Santa Anna, Cali- ate the job opportunities for young Fig. 1 The gold artifacts from south- ern Vietnam have been recognized fornia. researchers in underwater archaeol- as the largest hoard of its kind in the ogy,” Staniforth said. country. Now these items, almost all of them looted from Ban Chiang, a prehistori- Seafaring activities have occurred The Vietnam Book of Records has cal archaeological site in northeast- along Vietnam’s 3,000 kilometer recognized a collection of gold ob- ern Thailand, have been returned to coastline for more than 2,000 years. jects belonging to the Oc Eo – Go their rightful home. Thap culture as the largest of its kind “Vietnam, centrally located in South- in the country. The 554 artifacts, some of which east Asia, was a part of the maritime date back 5,000 years, were handed ceramic trade route that saw cen- The collection comprises 49 gold over to Thailand by the US govern- turies of trade between China and objects discovered during excava- ment last Wednesday following the West via the East China Sea and tions in 1984-2013 at the Go Thap almost a decade of investigation. South China Sea. At this stage, very archaeological site, Thap Muoi in the little is known about how many ship- Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of wrecks or other maritime and under- Dong Thap. water cultural heritage sites might exist in Vietnamese waters as there The antique objects dated between has been very little underwater ar- the 3rd and 7th centuries. Many of chaeological survey work done, but them represent the Hindu God Vish- it has been suggested that thousands nu and flowers such as the lotus and of sites could be located,” Staniforth water lily, as well as sacred animals said. such as the Nandin cow, Vahara pig Fig. 1 Mr. Somchai na Nakhonpha- and Shesha snake, besides the Kur- nom from the Fine Arts Department This year’s symposium (Vietnam’s ma tortoise and Sankha snail. of Thailand inspects the returned ar- first time as host) brought together tifacts. 170 researchers and archaeologists The rest of the collection, which in- The Nation via from 17 countries and territories. cludes jewelry such as rings, earrings the Southeast Asian and necklaces, also demonstrates Archaeology Newsblog “It is a great chance for international the skills of goldsmiths of the ancient archaeologists to present assess- civilization. Vietnam Needs Young Under- ments and recommendations on water Archaeologists how best to deal with the historic Vietnam News via Vietnam should train more young waters of the Binh Chau Commune the Southeast Asian people in underwater archaeological in Binh Son. It has been estimated Archaeology Newsblog research, said Mark Staniforth from that the area is home to dozens of

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ancient shipwrecks from between “The symposium is an opportunity of the sites has allowed an alarm- the 8th and 18th centuries,” said Le for Vietnam to build global partner- ing amount of exploitation of our Quang Thich, vice chairman of the ships in the field. It is also a bench- ancient heritage for socio-economic Quang Ngai’s People’s Committee. mark for the science which is new to development,” he said. Vietnam,” Thang said at the opening “The province has made drastic ef- of the event. Hai said Vietnam has yet to develop forts to survey and research under- advanced scientific research on un- water archaeology to develop the “However, Vietnam has faced many derwater archaeology. “The country area as a heritage site,” Thich said. difficulties from environmental pol- lacks skilled experts and underwater archaeologists,” he stressed. He warned that local people have stolen precious antiquities from within the shipwrecks, but the legal framework creates little power to protect underwater heritages. Hai said 130,000 objects were stolen in the southern Ca Mau, southern Vietnam. “Most ancient shipwrecks are found by local fishermen and exploited by private companies,” he said. “So, it is very difficult to manage and protect the heritage.” Local people often see underwa- Fig. 1 The International Symposium on Underwater Archaeology in Vietnam ter heritage as profitable, instead of and Southeast Asia held in Quang Ngai, Vietnam. something they want to preserve for its inherent value, Hai said. Under- According to Thich, two trading ves- lution and climate change to East water heritage is not yet valued for sels dating back some 700 years and China Sea tensions and an economic its role in socio-economic develop- other antiquities have already been downturn,” he said. ment. found in Binh Chau’s waters. “Underwater archaeology is a very The two-day symposium also includ- “We plan to designate 24 square kilo- young science in Vietnam and only ed field visits to Ly Son Island and meters of sea in the Binh Chau Com- a few research projects have been the Binh Chau coastal commune to mune for detailed investigations and conducted in the waters of Van Dong search for old shipwrecks. a survey of the ancient shipwrecks. district, Cham Island, Thi Nai Lagoon The results will be submitted in an and Binh Chau,” he said. An incomplete survey found that the application for national heritage sta- provincial waters could contain eight tus before aiming for world heritage Nguyen Giang Hai, the head of Viet- shipwrecks from between the 10th status,” Thich said. namese Institute of Archaeology, and 18th centuries. chaired the symposium. Nguyen Xuan Thang, chairman of the Vietnam Net Bridge Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, “There is real potential for under- said that Vietnam has struggled with water archaeological research, but underwater archaeology. poor management and protection

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