Professor John N. Miksic, a renowned archaeologist at the National University of Singapore (NUS) who has spent over 40 years debunking the colonial-era "myth of the lazy native."
Miksic’s work—particularly his excavations at Fort Canning Hill and his book Singapore and the Silk Road of the Sea—provides physical evidence that the Malay people were not merely "fishing villagers" but sophisticated urbanites long before European arrival.
Breaking the "Lazy Malay" Myth
The "lazy Malay" trope was largely a construct of colonial administrators like Frank Swettenham and writers like Joseph Conrad, used to justify British intervention. Miksic’s archaeological findings directly contradict this by highlighting:
- Complex Urbanization: His excavations in Singapore (ancient Temasek) revealed a thriving, fortified city by the year 1300. He found evidence of a 14th-century brick wall (the "Malay Wall") that protected a high-status administrative center.
- Specialized Craftsmanship: Artifacts include nearly 300,000 pieces of pottery, glass, and metalwork. These show that early Malays were skilled in metallurgy (gold and copper smithing), intricate carpentry, and large-scale brick making.
- Sophisticated Trade & Accounting: Finding diverse foreign coins and high-quality ceramics suggests a society that managed complex international trade networks and required advanced accounting and administrative skills.
Builders of Civilizations
When Miksic speaks of Malays as "builders of civilizations," he is looking at the broader Malay-Austronesian world. This includes major polities that were world leaders in their time:
| Civilization | Notable Achievements |
| Srivijaya | A dominant thalassocratic (maritime) empire that controlled the Strait of Melaka for centuries and was a global center for Buddhist learning. |
| Majapahit | One of the last great empires of the region, known for its sophisticated legal system and vast naval reach. |
| Melaka Sultanate | Turned a small port into the "Venice of the East," where over 80 languages were reportedly spoken by traders from across the globe. |
Why This Matters Today
Miksic argues that this history gives the modern Malay community a sense of historical continuity. By proving that cities like Singapore and Melaka were successful, independent urban centers 700 years ago, he shifts the narrative from one of colonial "discovery" to one of indigenous "revival."
As he often notes, the "myth of laziness" was a tool to explain why locals didn't want to work in colonial plantations; the reality was that they were already successful traders and urban dwellers who preferred their own sophisticated economic systems.
THE ARCHAELOGICAL ARTIFACT AT FORT CANNING, SINGAPORE
John Miksic’s excavations at Fort Canning (ancient Temasek) and the broader history of the Srivijaya Empire offer concrete proof of the "builders of civilizations" narrative you mentioned.
Here is a deeper look at these two pillars of Malay history:
1. Archaeological Treasures of Fort Canning
When Miksic began digging in 1984, he wasn't just finding old pottery; he was uncovering a lost kingdom. The artifacts found at Fort Canning Hill (historically known as Bukit Larangan or "The Forbidden Hill") provide evidence of a sophisticated, high-status society.
- The 14th-Century Gold Ornaments: The most famous find (originally discovered in 1928 but contextualized by Miksic's work) is a cache of gold jewelry. This includes a Kala Head Armband, featuring a protective "Kala" motif typical of Javanese and Malay royal art. These items suggest a resident elite with tastes for fine craftsmanship.
- The "Headless Horseman": A unique lead statue of a man riding a winged horse, found near the Singapore River. This is the only ancient lead statue of its kind ever found in Southeast Asia, likely representing a deity or a mythical hero.
- A "Cash" Economy: Miksic’s team found hundreds of Chinese copper coins (Yuan Dynasty). This is crucial because it proves Temasek wasn't just bartering; it was a monetized "banking center" where people earned wages and paid for goods with standardized currency.
- Industrial Activity: Evidence of glass recycling and gold smithing workshops was found on the hill. This indicates that the locals weren't just consumers of foreign goods—they were skilled manufacturers.
2. The Srivijaya Empire: The Maritime Superpower (7th–13th Century)
If Temasek was a successful port city, Srivijaya was the empire that set the blueprint for Malay maritime success. Centered in Palembang (Sumatra), it was a "Thalassocracy"—an empire based on the sea.
- Control of the Straits: Srivijaya maintained its power by controlling the Strait of Malacca, the world's most vital maritime artery. They built a powerful navy to protect traders and enforce a "tribute" system, making them incredibly wealthy.
- Global Intellectual Hub: Srivijaya was one of the most important centers for Buddhist learning in the world. The Chinese monk Yijing wrote in the 7th century that a scholar could spend years in Palembang studying before even going to India.
- Diplomatic Sophistication: They maintained high-level diplomatic ties with both the Tang/Song Dynasties in China and the Chola Dynasty in India. They even sponsored the construction of monasteries in India (Nalanda), showing their global influence.
The Connection
Miksic’s work bridges these two eras. He shows that when Srivijaya began to decline, cities like Temasek (Singapore) and eventually Melaka inherited that civilizational DNA. The people were the same: expert navigators, skilled craftsmen, and savvy international diplomats.
By framing Malays as "builders," Miksic reminds us that for over a millennium, the Malay world was the "Main Street" of global trade between the East and the West.
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4/1/2026: 2.00 A.M
