[Article] Maritime Museum Plan Runs Aground, Threatening Nation’s Oldest Known Ship.

September 16, 2010 | Jakarta Globe | Antara, JG

Rembang, Central Java. A funding shortfall has threatened to sink the planned development of a maritime museum — set to be the biggest museum in the country — in Punjulharjo village in the Central Java district of Rembang.
Preservationists say the museum, which would be built around the remains of the oldest-ever ship to be discovered in the archipelago, requires five hectares of land.
The ship, however, was discovered on private property, and finding money to purchase the land has proved difficult.
The Rembang Historical Society, the main group behind the museum, said the local government had agreed to purchase the land needed for the project.
“However, the government could only provide enough money to acquire one hectare,” Edy Winarno, head of the society, said on Thursday. “We are hoping to bring this to the attention of the central government.”
Villagers discovered the 1,200-year-old vessel on July 26, 2008, as they were digging a pond in what had been a coconut grove. Carbon dating tests performed in the United States suggested the ship was built in the seventh century.

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[Article] Ancient ship replica helps fund Java dig.

4 July 2010 | The Japan Times

NAHA, Okinawa Pref. (Kyodo) The Indonesian government and a Japanese academic group have recently reconstructed an ancient ship to raise money for an archaeological study on historic ruins in and around Java.

 

Glimpse of the past: A replica of an ancient Indonesian ship leaves Madura Island, Java Province, on June 27 for a six-month, 9,000-km journey. JAPAN MAJAPAHIT ASSOCIATION/KYODO PHOTO

According to the Japan Majapahit Association, the ship has been making port calls in Asian countries since late last month, asking for financial and technical support to excavate the ruins of the Majapahit kingdom, which existed in the area from the 13th to the 16th century.
The ship was built in Madura, part of Indonesia's Java Province, and left there on June 27 for a six-month, 9,000-km journey, before heading back to Jakarta.
It will reach Japan around the middle of July, making its first stop in Kudaka Island, Okinawa Prefecture. The island served as a trading post of the Ryukyu kingdom, which used to govern Okinawa.
The ship will then sail to Naha. The crew will pay Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima a courtesy call before continuing on their journey to Kagoshima, Yokohama, Tokyo and Fukuoka.
The 20-meter ship was reconstructed based on an ancient painting that was on a relief in Java's Borobudur ruins dating back to the eighth century. It is made entirely of wood using materials such as teak and bamboo, and does not use a single nail, according to the group.
The majority of the 15-person crew is Indonesian. Yoshiyuki Yamamoto, a Japanese explorer who canoed across the Indian Ocean, is on board as a project leader.

More informations :

- ‘Majapahit spirit’ to sail to eight countries | The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | 06/28/2010

[Article] Jewel of Muscat arrives in Singapore.

Channels NewsAsia | 3 July 2010 | By Saifulbahri Ismail


The Jewel of Muscat has arrived in Singapore. A replica of a 9th century Arabian dhow, it is a gift from the Sultanate of Oman to the Government and people of Singapore.
After more than four months at sea, its journey has been described as a triumph of the human spirit.
The ship set sail from Oman and called at ports in India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia on its way to Singapore. When it finally docked at the Marina Keppel Bay on Saturday, the crew were greeted by Omani dancers, and Singapore's own welcoming party.
At the welcome ceremony, President S R Nathan congratulated the crew for their successful journey. The ship will be housed as a centrepiece of Resorts World Sentosa's upcoming attraction, the Maritime Xperiential Museum.
President Nathan said: "Being at the crossroads between east and West, Singapore is a fitting place for the Jewel to be based. "Historically, ships from Arab destinations stopped in Singapore or in ports nearby to await the change of the monsoons, before continuing their journey eastwards to China or the other way."
The 18-metre long ship was built using traditional materials. Not a single nail or screw was used, and the crew stayed as true as possible to ancient sailing methods.
Saleh Said Al Jbri, captain, Jewel of Muscat, said: "She sailed fast when she wished, and she is slow as well when she so likes. "But she was keen to reach Singapore, carrying noble meaning and values, and beautiful memories of her hometown Oman."
The Jewel of Muscat project will be remembered as a testament to the excellent ties between Singapore and Oman. - CNA/ms

More informations :

- Jewel of Muscat to be housed at RWS' Maritime Xperiential Museum | Channel News Asia | By S Ramesh | 1 July 2010

- Jewel Of Muscat To Become Centrepiece Of Sentosa Maritime Museum | Bernama | By Zakaria Abdul Wahab | 1 July 2010

Internet : The Jewel of Muscat.

The Sultanate of Oman and the Government of Singapore request for an interactive website about the building of a 9th-century sailing ship, the Jewel of Muscat. The site, created on march 2009, includes videos and photographs of the ship being built.

About this site:

This website has been launched by the governments of Oman and Singapore to cover the construction and voyage of a 9th-century Arab sailing ship.
A team of experts has built the Jewel of Muscat in a specially constructed shipyard on the beach in Qantab in Oman. They are using a range of historical sources, including archaeological findings from the 'Belitung Wreck', including the Tang Treasure, which was discovered in 1998 in Indonesia waters.
The ship has been constructed with the methods available to 9th-century Arab craftsmen. The planks have been sewn together using coconut fibre, and the square sails will be made of plaited palm leaves.
Once constructed, the ship is planning to embark on an historic journey from Oman to Singapore.

The website includes the following sections:
    * Videos of the Jewel of Muscat’s construction and voyage.
    * Map of the Jewel of Muscat’s possible route.
    * Timeline showing the stages of the project.
    * 3D sequence, allowing users to study the different sections of the ship.
    * Photo gallery.
    * Log section, where members of the project team post updates.
    * Background section, providing information on the project.
    * Archive section, with information about the ship’s construction.
    * Education section, with learning resources for students and teachers.
    * A zone where you can Ask a Question and Contact Us.
The graphic background of the website reflects the material being used for the ship’s sails.

The website has been designed and developed by the media company Inclusive Digital TV (www.inclusivedigital.tv).

Visit Jewel of Muscat.

Musée maritime à Hoi An

Un musée maritime va être construit à Hoi An (Quang Nam, Vietnam)
28/9/2009

Un musée des activités marchandes des 17ème et 18ème siècles va être construit dans la ville historique de Hoi An. Il ne semble pas y avoir d'informations sur la date d'achèvement des travaux.

Hoi An to build Faifoo ship museum

Vietnam Net Bridge, 18 September 2009

A museum about merchant ships will be built in Hoi An, the central province of Quang Nam, it was announced recently. Faifoo, former name of Hoi An, Merchant Ship Museum, covering more than 2.4 hectares, in Cam Pho Ward, will present images of Hoi An and the fascinating activities of the trading port in the 17th and 18th century.

Public Lecture

The maritime trade has played an integral role in Southeast Asia from ancient times, and so it’s no surprise that there are a lot of maritime museums popping up in Southeast Asia today. Dr Stephen Davies will be making a presentation this Wednesday (30 Sep 2009) on Maritime Museums at the Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore. More details here.

Source: SEAArch