Sungai Mas and OC-EO Glass Beads: A Comparative Study

Zuliskandar Zuliskandar

doi:10.3844/jssp.2012.22.28

Abstract

Problem statement: Sungai Mas, Kedah, Malaysia and OC-EO, Vietnam, was two of the Indo-Pacific beads making centre’s in Southeast Asia. The drawn monochrome glass beads or Indo-Pacific beads industry begun in Arikamedu, India since 200BC was identified by Ptolemy as Poduca Emporium, with the presence of a small colony of Roman merchants. Arikamedu was abandoned by the 3rd century and before it was abandoned, the bead making centre was transferred to three other sites by the 2nd century CE which are Sri Lanka, Klong Thom, Thailand and OC-EO, Vietnam. Sungai Mas served as Indo-Pacific beads making centre by the 6th century CE until 13th century CE. Therefore the objective of this research is to determine from the beads compositional aspect whether beads from Sungai Mas originated from OC-EO or not. This is to prove that Sungai Mas and OC-EO produce their own beads. Approach: The study approach is base on compositional aspect of the beads. Compositional aspects of the beads involve their major and trace elements. Secondary data involved major and trace elements of the beads from Sungai Mas and OC-EO were analyzed based on their percentage of total and concentration. Results: Based on major and trace elements content showed that Sungai Mas beads are differ from OC-EO beads. This can be seen from the high percentage of silica, silver and fluks in Sungai Mas beads compare to lower percentage of those elements in OC-EO beads. Conclusion: The results showed that Sungai Mas and OC-EO produced their own glass beads and they were two of the Indo-Pacific beads-making centre in Southeast Asia beginning from 2nd century CE to 13th century CE.

Highlights

Indo-Pacific beads can be defined as a small, monochrome drawn bead of rather dull and limited colours which were the most common trade item in Africa and Asia for some 2500 years
In Malaysia, IndoPacific beads can be found in largely scale at Sungai Mas, Kedah (5th century CE to 18th century CE) and Kuala Seining, Perak while in Vietnam, it can be found in OC-EO, an ancient port kingdom of Fun a dated from 1st century CE to 7th century CE
Based on the compositional analysis that has been done on the glass beads from Sungai Mas, Kedah the findings showed that Sungai Mas, Kedah produced their own glass to make Indo-Pacific beads

Summary

Introduction

Indo-Pacific beads can be defined as a small, monochrome drawn bead of rather dull and limited colours which were the most common trade item in Africa and Asia for some 2500 years They are found in tens of thousands from South Korea to South Africa and Mali to Bali (Francis, 2002). Van Der Sleen (1966) considered the mutisalah beads stated by Lamb not as drawn beads but wound beads with high content of lead reaching 40% which can be classified as lead glass. Statements from both men were correct because the Timorese call any small opaque red or orange bead mutisalah, whether drawn or wound.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion