Over the past 5 years, fishermen have recovered historical treasures value tens of thousands and thousands of {dollars} from the Musi River, round Palembang, on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The massive query being requested by one archaeologist is whether or not or not these treasures are remnants of the long-lost Srivijaya Empire, a legendary kingdom often known as the Island of Gold?

The Srivijaya Empire flourished between the seventh and the thirteenth centuries in what’s now Indonesia. The dominion was centered round Palembang, on the volcanic island of Sumatra, to the west of Java. Native folklore has it that the terribly rich capital metropolis of the Srivijaya Empire existed, and ultimately “disappeared,” someplace on Sumatra within the late 14th century.

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In response to an article in The Guardian, historical Srivijaya was related to an infinite wealth of gold and valuable stones, and these fabled treasures have led a whole bunch of grasping explorers to bitter ends. Might it’s that Sumatran fishermen have been plundering the legendary misplaced Island of Gold and promoting its historical treasures on the worldwide black market?

A treasure haul of golden rings which could possibly be proof that Palembang is the placement of the fabled Island of Gold. (Wreckwatch Magazine)

Fisherman Raiders of the Island of Gold?

Whereas the misplaced metropolis of gold, El Dorado, stays firmly hidden in Colombia, the chief web site of the Srivijaya Empire might lastly have been discovered. Not, nevertheless, by a workforce of intrepid archaeologists, however relatively by native night-diving fishermen on the Musi River. Unlawful treasure hauls revamped the previous few years have included numerous jewels and a uncommon eighth century life-sized Buddhist statue studded with valuable gems, estimated to be value thousands and thousands of {dollars}.

Dr. Sean Kingsley is a British maritime archaeologist and his new analysis about this submerged web site is scheduled to be printed in Wreckwatch Magazine. The researcher advised the press that the treasures being recovered are the kinds of issues that “you would possibly examine in Sinbad the Sailor… however they’re truly actual.” If that is certainly the Island of Gold, Kingsley advised The Guardian, it will need to have been a “waterworld.” The archaeologist additionally stated the individuals will need to have lived on the river like fashionable boat individuals.

Life-size bronze Buddhist statue, studded with valuable gems, which was hauled up by fishermen within the Musi River. Might this priceless artifact lead archaeologists to the long-lost Island of Gold? (Wreckwatch Magazine)

Intricate, Uncommon, Traditionally Priceless, and Gone: Artifacts of the Island of Gold

The forthcoming Srivijaya examine goes to be featured inside a 180-page publication specializing in the historical past of China and the Maritime Silk Highway. Kingsley stated the maritime Srivijaya Empire “managed the arteries of the Maritime Silk Highway,” which had been colossal eighth century markets through which native, Chinese language and Arab items had been traded. For over 300 years, the rulers of Srivijaya managed the precious commerce routes between the Center East and Imperial China, resulting in what Kingsley described as a “colossal wealth.”

Trying nearer on the purposed Island of Gold artifacts being recovered from the river, among the many gold and jewels had been “every thing from instruments of commerce and weapons of conflict to relics of faith.” Kingsley listed bronze and gold sword handles, mirrors, Buddhist collectible figurines, bronze temple door-knockers, figures from Buddhist mythology and monks’ bells, as artifacts which were recovered from the river. Hoards of gold rings with elaborate symbols had been encrusted with rubies, whereas lots of the golden ceremonial rings had been detailed with 4-pronged vajra sceptres, the Hindu thunderbolt image, representing a well-liked weapon of the gods.

Timber raft homes on the Musi River earlier than 1917. (Nationwide Museum of World Cultures / CC BY-SA 3.0)

Physician’s Race to Save the Misplaced Island of Gold

Up till Dr. Kingsley stepped in with a modicum of management, the traditional treasures had been being retrieved by fishermen utilizing out-of-date diving tools. Horrifically, many of the artifacts have already been bought to doubtful antiquities sellers on the worldwide black marketplace for antiquities. Which means proof pertaining to the rise, glory days and fall of Srivijaya “is dying anew with out being advised,” defined Dr. Kingsley.

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The precise causes that led to the collapse of the Srivijayan Empire aren’t but clear, however Dr. Kingsley speculates that it might have been “Asia’s reply to Pompeii, falling sufferer to Indonesia’s effervescent volcanoes.” Nonetheless, the professor additionally speculated that the “fast-silting, unruly river” may have swallowed the traditional metropolis and its treasures.

Historic Origins will cowl this story because it unfolds, and hopefully we will announce that the Island of Gold has certainly been recognized very quickly. The haunting query is, if that is not the legendary misplaced Island of Gold, what’s the treasure chamber that lies beneath the Musi River and who put it there? And the way can archaeologists defend our historical historical past from the illegal antiquities black market?

High picture: Handful of gold rings, beads and gold cash retrieved by fisherman within the River Musi and believed to be artifacts left behind by the Srivijaya Empire’s long-lost Island of Gold. Supply: Wreckwatch Magazine

By Ashley Cowie