Monday, 2 November 2020

IRON SMELTING - KEDAH TUA

 Resource : FB Sungai Batu 788 BC: The Great Kingdom of Kedah Tua

Iron Age began around 1200 BC in Middle East. To date, Kedah Tua have the evidence of iron smelting by 788 BC. Hence, the iron age of Southeast Asia begins in 8th century BC, about 400 year later than Middle East. Iron smelting technology was a Divine knowledge endowed to King David. Probably, people have started using iron ore earlier than King David for certain purpose , but King David was the first to exploit and transform the iron ore into iron goods. Meaning, he was the first person who smelt the iron ore and forge into armoury suit as what the Divine revelation stated in Holy Quran. Not sure wether such story told in the Bible too. And King David lived between 11 / 12 century BC. Therefore, there is no doubt of how and who was the first ironsmith, but more of the technology that was transferred (cultural exchange) from one civilisaton to another.

Although Kedah Tua have produced iron 2800 years ago, but there were no records or indications from past civilisation about Kedah Tua until late BC years. Dong Son Culture of Vietnam rose at almost the same age. Mauryan Empire of India was 400 years younger. While Mohenjo-daro of Indus Valley, (in modern Pakistan) dissolved much earlier than Kedah Tua. It left Zhou Dynasty of China, Assyrian Empire in Middle East, Sabaean Dynasty of South Arab and off course Pharaonic Dynasty of Egypt were some civilisations where Kedah Tua share the same epoch.

Achemenid Empire of Persian and Rome Empire slightly later, but have to be considered as to look for the connection and networking in iron trade.

Probably, as for now, the only text that mention iron of Kedah Tua was Indian source of Sangam period. Dr Singaravelu of University Malaya (UM) said, the Tamil poem Pattinapalai of Sangam Period refers to the import of 'kazhakathu akam' (the produce of kazakham) at the sea port of Pukar.

The poem was composed by Katiyalur Urutti in 1st & 2nd century AD signifying a much later timeline of about 1000 years difference between Kedah Tua (788 BC) and Pattinapalai poem.

Even though we have solid archaeology evidences of Kedah Tua as iron producer from the Sungai Batu Archaeological Complex but lack or of historical accounts.

We believe the technology of iron smelting were transferred from one civilisation to another, but the sustainability very much relied on the 'industry owner', meaning the indigenous people themselves due to a complex process. As mentioned by Prof Dr Mokhtar Saidin, the Director of PPAG, it requires lot of task and expertise started from identifying the iron mine, iron ore, transportation, building the furnace, manufacturing tuyeres and bricks, the source of firewood, temperatures and up to storage, loading to the ships and exports. It should be done by a systematic society that lead by a ruler of one civilisation.

Compare to other civilisations mentioned above, Dong Son Culture was the nearest neighbour to Kedah Tua that involved in metallurgy activity. They emerge around 700 BC and responsible of invention of planting wet paddy. The bottom line of Dong Son society from what have many researchers wrote about them that they have a well organised social composition , self sustainable and self sufficient. By 500 BC, they started casting bronze. Dong Son actually was the name of village where the local found an ancient bronze drum in 1920's then followed by several other drums in later years and even at present time. The drums were made with highly artistic, crafted and cast well. It was probably used for communal celebration, mortuary and ritual, like calling the rain and others (like Malay society use the wooden hollow trunk for alarming the villagers for various purpose especially for prayer time)

Eight Dong Son drums were found in Malay Peninsula. 4 drums found in Kelang and a bronze bell that dated 200 BC (2200 years ago). Unfortunately, the bronze bell not in our museum, but British Museum. Bronze were made of copper and tin. Since Kelang was a tin producer, it might have connection or cultural exchange between Kelang and Dong Son and infact, Kelang itself do have the metallurgy history since 2500 years ago.

The motif on Dong Son drums were individually crafted on the mould before the molten bronze poured in, hence, each drum have distinguished design conveying a specific story or custom.

The question arose, first, how was the drums reached Kelang and the rest that found in Ulu Tembeling and some other places. Were they carried by local traders or Dong Son people or by the Chinese merchants? A research speculated that those drums were gifts from a chieftains in the Red River Delta to neighbouring land.

Second, which route they took. Thru-peninsular or trans-peninsular. During late century BC , trans-peninsular route from Schen-li to Fukantulu was important trans-peninsular route. Between 100 - 200 BC, in Han Dynasty of China records, one envoy was sent to the West that use Schen-li > Fukantulu route before continue the voyage to the west. Some records says, the Chinese envoys went to Red Sea/Middle East that under Roman Empire rule. Many agreed that Schen-li is Pattani but some says Fukantulu is Pegu in Thailand or Kedah. Considering that it was the envoy of Chinese Emporer and voyage to the west of far away continent, they should go to reputable port. Another consideration, China do not have the long distance sea-going vessel untill 6 or 7 th century AD. While Kedah Tua as stated by Ptolemy was an Emporia, a city port that cater international trade and Nusantara population were reputable sailor and ship builder concentrated in Kedah. (China did build their vessel but for domestic purpose which use on the rivers and shore patrolling). Therefore, taking Fukantulu as Kedah Tua was more significant.

Back to Dong Son. Since trans-peninsula routes were the most preferable prior to 5/6 century AD, very likely the the Dong Son drum were carried thru such route. But, no Dong Son drum ever found in Kedah. Does it mean, there were no evidence of connection between Kedah Tua and Dong Son culture as Kelang did ?

The only reasonable answer, Kelang was under Kedah Tua territory. Despite of Kelang long history and ancient mining and metallurgy activities, Kelang never mentioned in Srivijaya or Tambralingga as their vassal states. These supports the idea that Kedah Tua or Kataha actuall stretch down south to Kelang and Kelang was lead by a local chieftain who sub-ordinate to King of Kedah Tua. (During Malacca Sultanate, Kelang became sub-ordinate to them).

There were remnants of ancient blacksmithing and artefacts of iron weapons/tools found during WW2 which indicate the metallurgy activity being done there, in Bukit Jati, Kelang. If Dong Son have sent their drums to Kelang as how they sent to Han Dynasty, it indicating the importance of Kelang more than 2000 years ago. The bronze bell that mentioned above was a rare artefact as a gift from Dong Son and thats why its been 'looted' out by the British. If it is true, and the bronze bell as symbolic, there was special relationship between Dong Son and Kelang who represent Kedah Tua.

Copy and paste: 2/11/2020 : 17 Rabiulawal 1442H: 8.21 pm

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