Pulau Melaka Archaeological Excavation Continues, More Discoveries Expected - JWN

MELAKA, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- The archaeological excavation in Pulau Melaka, which has entered its fourth phase, will continue to search for and recover artefacts from the area, said National Heritage Department (JWN) director-general Mohamad Muda Bahadin.

He said the excavation work for this phase, which began on Oct 24 and ended on Nov 2, was extended following the discovery of artefacts, including wooden fragments believed to be part of a ship from the Melaka Malay Sultanate, as well as porcelain and coins from the era of Sultan Mahmud Shah.

Mohamad Muda said that so far, the excavation work in the area has involved only a 12-by-12-metre site, but the area is expected to expand over time based on ongoing studies.

“We will continue this project until it is completed. It may take two to three years, or even longer, depending on future studies.

“For this fourth phase, 24 personnel comprising members of JWN, the Melaka Museum Corporation, archaeology and history experts from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), and a group of volunteers are involved in the project,” he told reporters when met at the excavation site here today.

Mohamad Muda said that the excavation work has so far reached a depth of about three metres, with more artefacts and historical discoveries expected if exploration in the area continues.

He said, for instance, the excavation depth could extend to between 10 and 20 metres if it involves a large ship with an extensive structure, possibly still partially embedded in the seabed at the reclamation site.

Mohamad Muda added that scientific studies involving local and foreign experts, including historians, archaeologists, and Malay shipbuilding specialists, would be conducted to verify the historical findings.

“For example, samples of wood believed to be from the ship’s hull will be sent to the Beta Analytic laboratory in the United States for dating tests and to the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) for wood species analysis.

“In addition, conservation work on the wood from the ship’s hull has also been carried out, including a desalination process as an initial treatment to prevent damage,” he said.

Mohamad Muda said the historical discoveries would also be discussed at a special conference involving relevant experts to validate the evidence before it is entered into the historical record, particularly for Melaka.

Records show that excavation work on Pulau Melaka has been carried out by JWN in stages since 2021, uncovering various historical artefacts linked to the Melaka Malay Sultanate as well as Portuguese and Dutch colonisation, including fragments of pottery and porcelain, coins, and pieces of wood believed to be part of the hull of a sunken merchant ship.

--BERNAMA