PEKAN, Aug 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) – A number of artefacts were recovered at a sand mine in Sungai Pahang recently believed to date back to the Tang, Song and Ming dynasties, as well as the Malacca and Pahang Sultanate.
They were discovered by accident last week in a sand suction equipment by the mine operator who then got in touch with archaeology buff, Datuk Dr Dionysius S.K Sharma, who the National Heritage Department (JWN) has appointed research project leader.
JWN director-general, Mesran Mohd Yusop, said most of the artefacts were pieces of Song celadon ceramics, Ming ceramics, as well as ancient Chinese and Malay coins.
“A team of divers found some artefacts (at a depth of 15m) near a wooden structure believed to be a ship. But further investigation is needed,” said Dr Dionysius of the surveillance performed over three days after the first discovery and supervised by JWN.
“A lot of the ceramics looked like they had new cracks because of the dredging machinery and some looked like they were broken a long time ago,” said Mesran at a press conference today also attended by JWN archaeology division director, Ruzairy Arbi.
JWN will conduct further research for archaeological dating which will provide a new and better understanding of the ancient maritime trade here, he said.
“We hope that through this discovery we will uncover Pahang’s — and particularly Pekan’s — cultural history,” said Mesran, adding that JWN will look for as many artefacts as possible in the hopes of finding something of greater significance like unbroken pottery.
He urged the public to report any archaeological finds as required under the National Heritage Act 2005.
— NNN-BERNAMA