via The Star, 18 December 2023: The ‘Port And Pottery’ exhibition at Universiti Malaya showcases a rich collection of artefacts recovered from Melaka’s coastline, including large stoneware jars, ceramic shards, and historical coins. Curated by Datuk Dr Dionysius Sharma, the exhibit took nearly five years to prepare, involving extensive beachcombing and cataloguing. It highlights items from shipwrecks and households in the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, offering a glimpse into the maritime history and cultural heritage of Melaka.
The appearance of early boat timbers and other heavy woodwork, washed ashore on a stretch of reclaimed beachfront in the heart of historical Melaka in 2019 was the start of an epic adventure for Datuk Dr Dionysius Sharma in reconnecting with his home state.
Amid the scattered merbau driftwood at this excavation site in Pulau Melaka were the remains of a wooden vessel or a barge, which led to further discoveries of ceramic shards, broken bottles, Melaka Sultanate coins and barnacled earthenware.
It was these artefacts from the sea that gave Sharma, an avid metal detectorist and archaeology buff, an opportunity to play out a childhood dream and to also start a self-funded project to help create awareness that old Melaka needs to be further studied, especially its coastal areas.
Source: Melaka’s ancient past reaches shore at the ‘Port And Pottery’ exhibition in UM | The Star
According to The Star article this exhibition runs until 31 Jan. But according to the University website it closes on 31st December. Do you know when it actually closes, please?
I’m not sure if I can get an answer to you in time, but if I do I’ll post a reply