Belitung: The Afterlives of a Shipwreck

The Belitung, a ninth-century western Indian Ocean–style vessel, was discovered in Indonesian waters in 1998 with a full cargo load of over 60,000 Chinese Tang-dynasty ceramics, gold, and other precious objects. It is one of the most significant shipwreck discoveries of recent times, revealing the global scale of ancient commercial endeavors and the centrality of the ocean within the Silk Road story. However, the commercial salvage of objects from the Belitung and their subsequent sale to Singapore contravened the principles of the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage and prompted international condemnation. This book reflects on underwater cultural heritage management, revealing valuable new information about the Belitung salvage and the intricacies in the many conflicts and relationships that developed. It shifts our thinking about shipwrecks beyond popular tropes of romance, pirates, and treasure and toward an understanding of how the relationships between sites, objects, and people shape the stories we tell of the past in the present.

Format: Hardback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2022
Publisher: University of Hawai'i Press

In 1998, a remarkable discovery was made in the Indonesian waters: the Belitung, a ninth-century vessel resembling those of the Western Indian Ocean during the ancient era. Onboard this remarkable ship were found over 60,000 Chinese Tang-dynasty ceramics, along with precious gold and other invaluable objects, all meticulously stored and likely destined for the Middle Eastern market. This extraordinary find, considered one of the most significant shipwreck discoveries in recent times, sheds light on the vast scale of ancient commercial endeavors and the pivotal role played by the ocean in the Silk Road narrative.

However, this shipwreck holds a contemporary twist as well. It highlights the ways in which nation-states seek to appropriate the remnants of the past for their own purposes, sparking intense international debates over the ownership and responsibility of shared heritage. The commercial salvage of objects from the Belitung, followed by their sale to Singapore, violated the principles outlined in the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. This decision drew widespread condemnation and sparked a contentious controversy that continues to resonate within academic and curatorial circles.

Major museums refused to host international traveling exhibitions showcasing the collection, and some archaeologists even expressed their preference for the objects to be returned to the sea rather than put on display. Shipwrecks, with their tales of treasure and tragedy, have captured the public imagination through various forms of media, including museums, cinema, and song. At the same time, they serve as valuable sites of scholarly inquiry, providing maritime archaeologists with a means to unravel the mysteries of the past through the material remains left behind.

Each shipwreck is a unique accidental time capsule, containing the sunken stories of those on board, the personal and commercial objects that accompanied them, and the unfinished journeys that were cut short. In her insightful reflection on underwater cultural heritage management, Natali Pearson delves into the complex issues surrounding the preservation, conservation, and interpretation of these underwater treasures. She emphasizes the importance of balancing the interests of various stakeholders, including governments, museums, archaeologists, and local communities, in order to ensure the sustainable management and preservation of underwater cultural heritage for future generations.

The Belitung shipwreck serves as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of our past and present, and the profound impact that human endeavors have had on the ocean and its ecosystems. It highlights the need for international cooperation and collaboration in order to protect and preserve the rich tapestry of underwater cultural heritage that spans across borders and oceans. As we continue to explore and uncover the secrets of the deep, let us remember the lessons learned from the Belitung and work towards a future where the ocean and its heritage are cherished, protected, and celebrated.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780824892944