Hj. Zulheimy Ma'amor: THE TRAIL OF KAPUR BARUS

RESOURCE: SUNGAI BATU 788 BC : THE GREAT KINGDOM OF KEDAH TUA

Kapur barus or camphor or kafur as mentioned in Quran was one of ingredients in Pharaoh mummification. That has lead us to Barus, and while searching more info about Barus, we found out there was a legendary voyage in 15 Century BC by Queen Hatshepsut (1473 – 1458 BC), and kapur barus was one of the many cargoes that brought back to Egypt.

Infact, the expedition were recorded in the splendidly detailed reliefs on the walls of her mortuary temple at Deir El-Bahari, Egypt.

Many research done by the scholars since 19th century AD, but each of them have a different idea in locating the exotic far away land.

The reliefs on the wall called the far away land as Punt or Pwente !!

The Trail of Kapur Barus (1)

It was written in a research paper, thousands of years ago, a seafarers from Southeast Asia (SeA), used to sailed to East Africa to bring spices.

Spice trade / route have establised 5000 years ago, even before Prophet Ibrahim a.s.

Crossing the Indian Ocean, the voyage will stop somewhere East Africa, where many researchers believe it was a current Somalia. Among several port, Malao was one of the ancient port along the Somalian shore. From there, the local traders will bring the trade commodity to Red Sea and reach Egypt. We are talking about Egypt of 3000 BC, where Israelite and Arab from Ibrahim a.s progeny not even born yet.

And the most interesting part is about Kapur Barus or Camphor or Kapura or Kafur been used in Egypt for mummification. And it was traded along with spices such cinnamon, clove, pepper etc from SeA region to East Africa. (East Africa is a land that stretched from Egypt down to Tanzania and Mozambique)

We did mention about Land of Punt in the past posting, where in 15 Century BC, Egypt delegation came and load their ships and brought back various spices, frankincense, myrrh, animal skin, living animal and living tree too

**We are going to discuss and 'explore' on this ancient Kapur Barus trade from time to time, since lot of reading and research to be done. We call this 'exploration' as The Trail of Kapur Barus.**

The living tree that they brought back to Egypt and succesfully re-planted and cultivated in Egypt was Boswellia. It is a plant that produce myrrh or kemeyan in Malay. Unlike kapur barus that were harvested or processed from kapur barus tree of SeA, Boswellia is NOT a native plant of SeA region.

The Trail of Kapur Barus (2)

We did mention about The Trail of Kapur Barus in previous post. Actually, this Page tried to find out thru literature and research paper the written history of the Old Kedah Kingdom, particularly in the years of 8 century BC or earlier. Knowing it is impossible to find out the ancient manuscript or inscription in this region, it might be a good idea to find out from some other places. We got some clue that camphor from this region been used in the Old Kingdom of Egypt particularly for enbalming process of mummification. This might open up new avenue for us to find out some record about trade and population of Kedah Tua and neighbouring land along the trail of camphor or kapur barus trade.

This Page represent the history and archaeology enthusiast. Our finding and hypothesis may not accurate or align with those who are professionals, academics & scholars. Guidance from those community are very much appreciated. The methodology applied will be the gathering and compilation of various information from research papers, books and credible videos. Followed by analysis and interaction to the information compiled.

We also invite all readers to participate by giving constructive and value added comments. And the most important aspect, put the current territory & polities away as it not represent the past.

Why Kapur Barus ?

Firstly, kapur barus or camphor are unique resources of this region particularly Nusantara.

Secondly, camphor was written in spice route history that have 5000 years of history and can be found in Egypt hieroglyphs too !

Before we go further, there is no tree called kapur barus tree (pokok kapur barus). In laymen term, the tree is camphor tree (pokok kapur), and camphor (kapur barus) is the product that derived from the tree.

One has to know that camphor, mainly came from 2 type of tree. First, Dryobalanops Aromatica (DA), and second, Cinnamomum Camphora (CC). The most frequently mentioned in research papers that discussing camphor and spice trade are the second type. Probably due to its availability and grows in many countries. But, if camphor from Barus were mentioned, the reality it is about the first type, DA.

We found out that most research papers ignoring the DA. Probably, in one commentary said that the papers could be misquoted.

We would like to give a simple analogy. DA is a Rolls Royce and CC is BMW. Not easy to get and see Rolls Royce, but BMW is everywhere.

DA only grow in Sumatera Island, Malay Peninsula and Borneo Island. Camphor of DA is a resin from the trunk, scientifically called 'borneol'. One have to tap or make a cut to the trunk or make hole into the trunk to obtain the borneol. It will slowly flows out and crystallised.

While camphor of CC were obtain from distillation , where they cut the tree, chop the trunk into flakes, boil and channeled the steam to drip . The accumulated drip will be left to crystallised. This method will produce more camphor.

Unfortunately, what was and currently happened in Sumatera, they cut and bring down the tree and sell the trunk. This is very destructive and in reality they gradually lost the resources and the real monetary value of the crystalised borneol. It was said, a few grams of camphor that derived from the crystalised borneol, equivalent to one tree that they cut down.

Such explaination had clearly distingushed the quality of camphor made of DA that originated from Nusantara. These were the camphor that craved by the Egyptian Kingdom for embalming the Pharaoh and for other purpose such medicine and cosmetic.

But, what are the difference betwen the two. The answer is same as what is perfume and what is cologne. Perfume is pure oil, good odour and lasting. So as camphor of Dryobalanops Aromatica.

The Trail of Kapur Barus (3)

In 2nd century AD, Ptolemy mentioned Barousai Island in his Geographica.

3rd or 4th century AD, Chih Tu Kingdom sent 'Long-nao xiang' which is a very high quality camphor ( kapur barus) sent to China Emperor court. Chih Tu located in Malay Peninsular.

5th and 6th century AD, Chinese traders mentioned P'o-lu perfume of Lang-ya-hsiu (Langkasuka).

7th century (637 AD) kafur or camphor found during Arab invasion in Ctesophon (Middle East) as told by Ibn al-Attir.

7th century AD, I-Tsing mentioned about P'olu-shih (camphor perfume) and camphor (kapur barus) as one of precious item exported by Srivijaya.

9th century AD, book Ajai'ib al-Hind mentioned a place named Fansur.

9th cemtury AD (851), Book Akhbar al-Sind wal Hind mentioned about Fansur, a port that camphor came from.

All the above written before the exploration of Marco Polo, Ibnu Battuta, Al-Idrisi and Tome Pires.

Instead of Barus, the Arabs frequently mentioned Fansur in their account. The first time a place called Barus mentioned was in Negarakertagama, written in Java during Majapahit Kingdom in 1365. Barousai, as Ptolemy wrote may also referred to Barus. In 850 AD, Ibn Khurdadhbih mentioned Balus. The present Nicobar Island was named Langkabalus in the past.

No doubt that Fansur, a place and port that produce and exported camphor of Dryobalanops Aromatica, probably in the form of crystal or granule. Many Arabs accounts said that camphor from Fansur was the best and highest quality.

Meanwhile, Chinese call the same place as P'olu and Pinsu.

Fansur, derived from local word Panchur. Since the Arab have no consonant 'P' and 'Ch', they replace with arabic 'fa - ف ' and 'sin - س ' This is a common practice such Pattani and Palembang for instances, those Islamic scholars came from that place will use the Arabic filology, such Sheikh Daud Fatani and Sheikh Abd Samad Falimbani. And so did Sheikh Hamzah who native to Panchur, Sheikh Hamzah Fansuri.

Panchur located at north part of Sumatera. It also called Pancu, Pancur, Pansur, Fant-chou, Fancur and off course Fansur and in one local chronicle it called Pansohor or Pangsor.

In Chinese and Arab record, Fansur was a large territory that stretch the whole part of norther Sumatera. Therefore, some records says that the port located at the east of Sumatera and sometime in the west. It shows that Fansur has ports on both side of Sumatera that facing Indian Ocean and Starits of Malacca.

Mas'udi in 10th century wrotes that Ramni and Fansur were nearby. And Ramni island washed by two seas, Harkand (Andaman Sea) and Salahit (India Ocean). This has confirmed that Fansur located at the most northern part of Sumatera and its territory stretch down south. Some said from Aceh to Tanjung Intan ?

Currently there is a place named Ujung Pancu at the tip of Sumatera. The grave of Sheikh Hamzah Fansuri were located there too.

Two things that synonim to Fansur in many Arabs account were camphor or kafur and cannibal tribe . In the book Ajaib al Hind, cannibal tribe was the scary episode of the sailors. The book has pictured the area as gloomy, bushy and mystical.

Between 11th to 12th century AD, people start leaving Fansur. Researchers speculate there were attack from foreign nation or probably by a climate , changes of sea level and shoreline and maybe natural disaster too. Some researchers believe, centuries ago, Fansur happened to crash by tsunami and it was swept and some parts were submerge by the sea. And again in 2004 tsunami, after changes of contour and shoreline due to the disaster, archaeologist found some remnant of old city emerge from the ground.

Marco Polo was in Southeast Asia in 11th century. It was reported that he never went to Fansur but did mention in his account that the best camphor originated from Fansur. He still mentioned Fansur, not Barus. Considering camphor was a its height, why Marco Polo did not go there ? It might be the situation in Fansur in 11th century as mentioned above that did not allow him to visit ?

Al-Idrisi in 12 century, repeating the name BALUS that recorded by Ibn Khurdadhbih 300 years earlier. Meanwhile in 13th century, Ibnu Battuta did not mention Fansur, Barus or Balus, but kafur alone.

By 12 or 13 th century, the name Fansur and Barus were used interchangeble. Probably the trade centre were already shifted from Fansur (north) to Barus (north west) gradually. But the trade still the same. Camphor still dominant and it's price equivalent to gold by weight !.

Ships from Gujerat were the anchor traders in Barus, as well as Tamil. The Persian vessels were reported sailed direct from Persian Gulf without making a route to Sarandib (Sri Lanka).

The name Barus became prominent in 16th century. Balus and Balous was other pronounciation of Barus. 'Gubu Polu' is camphor of Barus in Chinese.

Another important fact was an inscribed pillar, found at Lobu Tua near Barus close to the kampung known as Pansur, has been dated to the year 1088 A.D. The pillar which is now kept by Museum Nasional in Jakarta was hexagonal column inscribed on three sides. The inscription is about Tamil trading guild named the One Thousand Five Hundred. Comparing the inscription with others from southern India, this guild was an autonomous group of merchants. Archaeological investigation of the Lobu Tua site have discovered glass, ceramics and beads.

Other than Tamil traders marks, Pusat Penelitian Arkeologi Nasional (Indonesia) carried out preliminary excavations at Lobo Tua and discovered early Chinese ceramics, including a large concentration of Song and some Yuan sherds. Some of the Lobu Tua sherds may in fact date back to the late 8 th or early 9 th centuries AD, a date when Chinese wares have been recorded as making a sudden appearance in the Persian Gulf.

Fansur was the trading port of camphor as early as 6th or 7th century. Then by 12th century, it shift to Barus gradually. As an international trading port, the trend was same as happened in Kedah Tua. Started in Sg Batu to Sg Mas and finally to Pengkalan Bujang in a time span of 2000 years.

Another promising fact that we found, Chih Tu and Langkasuka has started produce and export camphor ti China as early as 3rd/4th century AD, and both are strongly related to Kedah Tua. Thats a good 'time tunnel' to enter the camphor trades in BCE years as China has amazing tradition of keeping their records.

The Trail of Kapur Barus (4)

As mentioned in the past, this Page is trying to find out the written history in regard of Kedah Tua Kingdom or Kataha in Sanskrit more than 2 millenium ago, especially in 8th century BC or earlier since the earliest archaeological evidence were found in Sungai Batu dated 788 BC in the iron smelting site.

In the previous post, we discover that, an old kingdom called Chih Tu have sent a precious item called Long-nao-xiang perfume/fragrance to China's court. Chih Tu or Chi-tu mean Tanah Merah in Malay but it has nothing related to Tanah Merah in Kelantan. Its territory was somewhere between Malaysia and Thailand. Langkasuka was also mentioned in Chinese account pertaining Dryobalanops Aromatica camphor.

Quoted from Prof Dr. Suzuki Takashi book ; "Judging from the record of Chang-jun (常駿) in the Sui Shu(隋書). The territory of Chi-tu probably covered from Songkhla area including Sathing Phra on the east coast to Kedah on the west coast. The ambassador, Chang-jun might have landed at Songkhla and he took thirty days journey to cross the Malay Peninsula to Kedah, the real capital of Chi-tu "

". . . The king’s family name is ‘Qu-tan’(瞿曇=Gautama), his personal name is Li-fu-duo-sai (利富多塞). Ba-lo-sha (Po-luo-suo ,婆羅娑) means 'Balus' and Balus was an old name of the Nicobar Islands. So Chi-tu was located in the Malay Peninsula. Chi-tu was absorbed by Shi-li-fo-shi (室利仏逝）before 660 AD"

Now, we go to the main point, Chi-tu sent Long-nao-xiang (L-n-x) fragrance as tributary to China Emperor and what was it actually ?

In translation L-n-x is Dragon Head fragrance and it used as incense. Checking through prominent Chinese herbal website, L-n-x fragrance was or made of camphor tree Dryobalanops Aromatica (DA). This fact match with our finding that camphor of DA was a precious item.

These also indicates that Chi-tu which Kedah was its capital has produced camphor.

The next question, what was Dragon Head got to do with camphor ?

At the beginning of The Trail of Kapur Barus, we believe, the connection of East Africa and Ancient Egypt will provide the answer of our quest. And now, we discover more than that, Chi-tu tributary to China may also open up another avenue.

In the quest of Dragon Head fragrance, it lead us to the highland of Wudang province in China. The ancient religious complex in Wudang is a World Heritage recognised by UNESCO.

In our opinion, the dragon head probably referred to the protruded or extended part of the cliff. On the tip of protruded part, that looks or symbolised the dragon's head, the Taoist monk put a vase of incense and probably it was the place where they put the camphor and called it Dragon Head fragrance. Probably, among the dragon heads, the most sacred , is the one in Wudang, but it looks like a man made structure or renovated of natural protruded cliff. These explaination need further research and reading. We might be wrong or inaccurate.

Anyway such religious practices by the Taoist Monk in the Wudang mountain area can be traced since the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC) to the end of Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). This religion put emphasis on the faithful filial piety ethics and the harmonious combination of three religions, namely the Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.

However, when was the first time camphor of Nusantara especially Chi-tu and Langkasuka 'reach' the mountain of Wudang is something that we need to answer in this "exploration". Hope the readers and enthusiasts get along with us and give some input. Both Chi-tu and Langkasuka exist between 3rd to 6th century and later absorbed under Srivijaya

Just to re-cap, the archaeological evidence of Kedah Tua was dated 788 BC in Sungai Batu Archaeological Complex by PPAG, USM. Those finding were much earlier that Chi-tu and Langkasuka by more than a thousand years.

The methodology applied in our writing will be the gathering and compilation of various information from research papers, books and credible videos and websites. Followed by analysis and interaction to the information compiled.

The Trail of Kapur Barus(5)

Kapur Barus , as what the people of Nusantara called, are synonym to ritual cleansing of the dead body. It was also reminded in Islam as mentioned by the Prophet to use the water of kafur, meaning water mixed with kapur barus /camphor as final shower to the dead.

In Pharaoic mummification, it was said that camphor were extensively use in enbalming the body since it has the anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties which will help to slow down the decaying of the dead body. The Egyptian do not use camphor solely but rather as mixture. At this point, we are still looking for solid literature evidence of camphor of Dryobalanopa Aromatica used for enbalming in mummification process. It may take sometime since the history of enbalming occurs in a great span of time and lot of reference and reading to be done.

Interestingly, we found a mixture called 'kyphi' (key-fee) made by Egyptian in a form of paste that shaped into a ball. Kyphi, use for temple daily incense, where the burnt kyphi produced a good odour.

Generally understood, kapur barus/camphor is a resin (damar) from a kapur tree. In our case, Dryabalanops Aromatica tree. In some reference, its called 'precious resin' due to its price and properties. While it also a native tree in Borneo, people also called 'borneol camphor' or simply 'borneo camphor'. Hence, kapur barus, camphor, precious resin, borneol, kafur are similar item as long it came from Dryobalanops Aromatica tree.

According to a paper, there were many recipes of medicinal concoction written on papyrus, not less than 15 papyrus that aged 2500 BCE till early CE century.

Back to medicinal recipes, we bring the Papyrus Ebers as one of reference. It contains a Kyphi recipe, approximately in 1500 BCE. Kyphi (κυ̑φι), as it was called in Greek, Kupar, in Syriac, or Kapet, in Egyptian.

One of the recipe written as below in English translation :

Papyrus Ebers 853 (98, 14b – 18b)

Kkt – a vermin (needling beetle?)

Smt – an unspecified animal

Prt-Snj – an unspecified nut

Tj-Sps – Camphor tree (Cinnamonum camphora)?

Ynktn – an unspecified medicinal product with a foreign name

Dmtn – an unspecified medicinal product with a foreign name.

Note that the writer put a question mark on Cinnamomum Camphora, a different species of champor tree.

Kyphi, not only used in temple but also at home and personal use depends on the recipe.

In other reference, it said

"The results reveal a recipe of a plant oil, with far lesser amounts of a heated conifer resin, an aromatic plant extract/‘balsam’ and a plant gum/sugar, which is notably similar to those ‘balms’ identified in prehistoric times both in terms of the constituents and relative proportions of those ingredients. Moreover, this recipe contained antibacterial agents, used in similar proportions to those employed by the Egyptian embalmers when their skill was at its peak, some 2500 years later..."

So far, we have discussed about types of camphor, camphor tree, geographic of origin, Barus & Fansur, Chi-tu & Langkasuka, dragon head fragrance in China, kyphi & Egypt, the recipes written on papyrus. It still a long way to reach our objective to dig the history of Kedah Tua thru kapur barus / camphor trade. At the moment, we knew that Kedah Tua in 3rd - 6 th century did sent camphor to Chinese Emperor court. We also need to uncover the trade between Kedah Tua and East Africa since it was a link or connection to enter Egypt. Hence, we have both west and east bearing to unearth the hidden literature evidence of Kedah Tua history.

Oh yes, most of us use camphor in daily life too. Do you have Tiger Balm or Vicks Vapour Rub in your room?

The Trail of Kapur Barus (6)

In the article published by Journal of Archaeological Science in September 2017, titled "Chemical analyses of Egyptian mummification balms and organic residues from storage jars dated from the Old Kingdom to the Copto-Byzantine period **" have listed "camphor " and "borneol" was among the material used in enbalming process in mummification.

This is interesting because the research had classified camphor and borneol as separate compound. Comparing to other article, usually borneol is identified as compound of camphor. On further reading, such 'chemical dictionary" and 'scientific definition', borneol always said being derived from camphor of Dryobalanops Aromatica (DA) tree. Although borneol also exist in other source of camphor such Cinnamomun Camphora tree, but borneol always been paired to DA tree. We have discussed about DA tree in chapter (2) as camphor from DA was the best quality and native to Sumatera, Malay Peninsular and Borneo.

Since the scientific research have classified borneol in its own niche, therefore, from archaeological perspective, we can speculate it came from a niche species or source. DA tree is a niche species and endangered too. We might be wrong or inaccurate.

Many papers and articles that discussed about embalming material and it's source, did mention about camphor, but camphor is too general in order to identify the region of origin and it also could be obtained from several plant. Unlike borneol, only contained by few species, and DA tree is the main source, while only few places were native for DA.

For the region of India Ocean, camphor of Barus, (Kapur Barus) Sumatera Island dominated the trade. Hence Barus is an ancient port and exporter of camphor and the best quality camphor ever produced, even all types of camphor were called Kapur Barus till present time.

Meanwhile, Borneo Island is nearer to China, camphor of Borneo were more popular among Chinese traders. Infact, they do not have to sail into Straits of Malacca to go as far as Barus and paying the taxes.

Back to the reserch article above, the researchers have examined 20 sample and they found borneol in two sample as stated below.

Sample 2680 》 Balm in the mouth. Red balm filling the mouth, pressed agianst the tongue,retracted into the back of the mouth.

Year : 945-715 BCE. Thebes Tomb

Sample 2681 》Balm from the thoracic cavity. The bottom of the left chest cavity is lined with a black balm, poured hot when embalming and forming a horizontal surface.

Year : 945-715 BCE. Thebes Tomb.

Borneol is an expensive compound used in Chinese and Western medicine for many years and is an ingredient used in 65 traditional Chinese medicinal formula. It was also used in Taoist ritual and Egyptian temple for thousand of years as we discussed in past posting.

At the moment, among several article that we have read, the above have given a clear direction that camphor or kapur or kafura from Southeast Asia, wether it was from Barus, Fansur, Chi-tu or Po'ni (Brunei/Borneo) very likely did reach and use by the Egyptian as embalming material for mummification.

Mummification of the dead, not only restricted to Pharaoh and royal family. It was also perform to others as long the family of the deceased able to afford. It was a long process and required lot of material, time, skills, expertise and surely expensive. Therefore, the best embalming and mummyfying material were used by royal family and aristocrat. In our opinion, camphor of DA tree which has the best quality were used in expensive enbalming mixture. While for others who can't afford, probably using the lower grade embalming material. Therefore, not all the 20 sample of the research contain borneol.

Since camphor also has the properties for other purpose such medicinal, incense, cosmetic, perfume, aroma-therapy and many more, it may had motivate Queen Hatshetput, the female Pharaoh in 15 century BCE set a grand expedition to Land of Punt to trade and acquire commodity, and camphor was among the commodity.

The methodology applied in the writing by gathering and compilation of various information from research papers, books and credible videos and websites. Followed by analysis and interaction to the information compiled.

** Article written by Jeannette Łucejko , Jacques Connan , Sibilla Orsini , Erika Ribechini ,Francesca Modugno.

The Trail of Kapur Barus (7)

To date, as mentioned in the previous post, very likely that the earliest mummification that using camphor / kapur barus from Nusantara was traced from the mummies found in Thebes, Egypt that dated between 715 - 945 BCE. And as for now, the earliest civilisation in Nusantara and Southeast Asia was Kedah Tua as discovered in Sungai Batu,dated 788 BCE. These are the data that we posessed at the moment. The date may changed in future thru new development.

Therefore, we can speculate, firstly, that the population of Kedah Tua and neighbouring land in 8th century BCE was responsible to introduced camphor to the outside world and eventually reached Egypt, thru the ancient trading route called Spice Route.

Second, the population of Kedah Tua and the neighbouring land themselves brought the camphor across the Indian Sea and introduced to East Africa and finally reached Egypt. These called Cinnamon Route.

There was a third route called Incense Route, but we reserve this subject.

The Austronesian, according to many researchers were distinguished seafarers and ship builder. Austronesian also known as Malayo-Polynesian and in this context, they are referred as the islander of South East Asia or simply known as Nusantara.

Spice Route, was established about 5000 years ago. The spices from Nusantara especially cinnamon and clove were brought to India. From there, the Indian traders travel to Arab Peninsula and the commodity reach Egypt and Mediterranean country by the Arabs. And camphor was among the commodity going thru this route.

In Cinnamon Route, it was written by researcher that 4000 years ago, a group of traders from Sumatera or depart from Sumatera with double outrigger canoe acoss the Indian Ocean and reach Madagascar in East Africa with cinnamon and cassia as their main cargo.

Between those two routes, there was a great different. Spice Route sailed along the shore, from Malay Peninsular, up north to Bengal Bay, east coast India and continue north India west coast, Arab Sea and reach Arab land, Oman. But, Cinnamon route was a direct voyage from west coast Sumatera to Madagascar, 6000 kilometres voyage, crossing Erythrean Sea or Indian Ocean as known today.

Lets re-cap the timeline

Spice Route .............. 5000 years ago

Cinnamon Route........4000 y.a.

Thebes mummy.........2700 - 2900 y.a.

Sungai Batu ............. 2800 y.a

From the above time-line, there was 'ample' time for camphor to reach Egypt before it being used as embalming mixture.

Madagascar has a long history with Austronesian or Nusantara people particularly. Their native language is Malayo-Polynesian. Genetically their ancestor were from southeast Kalimantan. Scientifically proven, they are Banjarese (orang Banjar) and technically, they were Banjar sailorman who travelled and reside in Madagascar, thousand of years ago. Therefore, an article says, when Srivijaya naval went to Madagascar, they easily communicate with the native people.

Tom G. Hoogervorst wrote "Southeast Asia in the ancient Indian Ocean World Combining historical linguistic and archaeological approaches" and also quoting Warono Mahdi finding :

"Sumatran camphor applied to an Egyptian mummy (Mahdi 1994: 190) suggest an intensification of westward voyaging by the end of the first millennium BCE. However, South Asia was not the final destination for Southeast Asian sailors. They reached the island of Madagascar and settled there long before any of the world’s better known civilizations could successfully undertake transoceanic journeys of comparable distance."

(Sumatran camphor is Kapur Barus)

By reaching and settle in Madagascar, the commodity of Nusantara could easily reach East Africa mainland and to the north, Somalia, the main gate to enter Red Sea and to reach Egypt. Maritime East Africa, as one researcher wrote, a region that do not get enough attention in archaeology.

Meanwhile Somalia, was a place that said as the Land of Punt, where the Egyptian Pharaoh, Queen Hatshepsut made a legendary expedition and she immortalise the great history in Dar el-Bahri mortuary temple. Somalia seems match the attributes that were explain in the hiroglyph. Some important clue were myrrh shrub tree called Boswellia, they even brought back and plant the tree. Secretary Bird as well as giraffe that live and native to Somalia and nearby sub-Saharan region. The leader of Punt land, Parehu and wife Ati. The male have a big build up with 5ft 9inch average height and sharp nose. Probably Land of Punt was an Emporia, a trading port, a hub for foreign commodity and regional exotic item.

Somalia seems a suitable place for camphor of Nusantara end up the journey and handed over before transported to Egypt.

Land of Punt, begin 2500 BCE and ended in 980 BCE, equivalent to 4500 untill 3000 years ago while Cinnamon Route begins around 4000 years ago.

To prove the 6000 km voyage, an expedition project made by Indonesian. It was written as below :

"How best to determine if the ships on the bas-reliefs at Borobudur were really capable of making this open sea journey than by building an actual life-size ship and sailing it along the Cinnamon Route. This is exactly what Philip Beale did with the help of Indonesian shipwrights under the leadership of Assad Abdullah.

The Samudra Raksa (Defender of the Seas) set sail from Jakarta on 15 August 2003 and reached Seychelles on 12 September 2003. From here, it sailed south passing the Comoros to Madagascar. The journey did not end at Madagascar and the ship sailed further south rounding the Cape of Good Hope to reach Cape Town on 5 January 2004. On 23 February 2004 Samudra Raksa reached Accra in Ghana and the journey terminated here".

The maritime of Austronesian and Indian Ocean seems like never ending story. There are still lot of fact to be told regarding the movement and relationship between Nusantara and Madagascar as well as East Africa. We believe, apart of Spice Route and over the time, Cimnamon Route functioning as an express route to bring the camphor / Kapur Barus and spices to major port in East Africa , Arab land and Red Sea. However, our objective to uncover the historical fact pertaining to Sungai Batu polity, population, community structure and how they become the industrial community in 788 BC, promised an exciting exploration. Hope we can get new clue and hints in these searching process.

The Trail of Kapur Barus (8)

In chapter 4, we pointed out that Chi-tu sent Long-nao-xiang (L-n-x) fragrance as tributary to China Emperor. We also explained that L-n-x is a Dragon Head Fragrance, and some research said Dragon Brain Perfume.

But when and what was the actual story ?

According to Sui Shu record, in 607 AD, Emperor Yang Di of Sui Dynasty sent his Ambassador Chang-zhu and assisted by Wong Zhang Zheng in a delegation with 5000 valuable present. Chang-zu, not only as Ambassador but also a custodian of armoury, while Zhang Zheng was a Superitendant of Natural Resources. We are not sure, wether it was a normal protocol but looks like they came with a gun an olive branch ! Looks like the delegation lead by Ambassador cum Admiral and accompanied by Minister of Natural Resources and Commodity !! Anyway, let assume it was a normal protocol.

Sui Shu record is a formal and official report of Sui Dynasty and consist variant report of domestic and foreign affair.

Chi Tu was a big and rich country. Their mission was to persuade Chi Tu to be a tributary country to Sui Dynasty. Tributary country will have the recognition and previllage in diplomatic and trading affair. China was always a big market and undisputable demand. Tributary country will have an exclusive status to bring their trade. They even provided with dedicated wharf and free to appoint their Harbor Master to ease the traffic of cargo. In return, tributary country have to be loyal and ensure the diplomatic and trade relationship are condusive and meet the required demand.

After loading the substantial amout of present as an exchange, at the end of the visit, the King's son handed over the tributary for Emperor Yang Di which is gold crown with hisbiscus design and camphor which they called long-nao-xiang, the dragon head fragrance. Please take note that the tributary was gold and camphor. Indirectly, its gave an indication that, first, camphor of Chi Tu as valuable as gold. Second, obviously camphor was local resources.Third, camphor is no strange to Sui Dynasty, they aware of the value and purpose of camphor. It was said, China had been using camphor of Dryobalanops Aromatica, that only grows in Sumatera, Borneo and Malay Peninsula as early as 2nd century BCE or more. And as for now, the only known civilisation in Southeast Asia that left their marks in BCE years is Kedah Tua or Kataha.

Taking into consideration where lot of the country and city state in Southeast Asia emerge or known as a polity in early AD years, could it possible to speculate that the Kingdom of Kedah Tua that exist in 788 BC was split in late 1st millenium BCE and divided into many polities such as Funan, Chenla, Lin-Yi (Champa), Tun-sun, Pan-Pan, Langkasuka (Langyaxiu atau Lang-ya-sseu-kia) and Kui Li (mouth of Sungai Pahang) as recorded by K’ang T’ai and Chu-Ying from Wu Dynasty who visit Funan in 243 AD, almost 400 years earlier than Sui Dynasty came to Chi Tu. Hopefully more research can be done as they were lack of record from Chinese kingdom. Natural disaster might be a cause to be consider

There were several territories that said was the location of Chi Tu, however the inscription found in Sungai Mas wrote about Raktamrttika , which mean Red Earth, brought strong speculation the potential location or at least to say that Chi Tu located in Malay Peninsula. Many researchers believe it was in the upper Sungai Kelantan. Votive tablet also found in Sungai Mas.

The Sui Shu says as follows:

“The kingdom of Chi-tu, another kind of Funan, is situated in the South Seas. By sea one reaches it in more than a hundred days. The color of the soil of the capital is mostly red, whence is derived the name of the country. Eastwards is the kingdom of Bo-luo-la (波羅剌), Westwards is Ba lo-sha =Po-luo-suo(婆羅娑), Southwards is Kha-la-tan(訶羅旦), Northwards it faces the ocean. The country is several thousand li in extent. The king’s family name is ‘Qu-tan’(瞿曇=Gautama), his personal name is Li-fu-duo-sai (利富多塞). Ba-lo-sha (Po-luo-suo ,婆羅娑) means 'Balus' and Balus was an old name of the Nicobar Islands. So Chi-tu was located in the Malay Peninsula. Chi-tu was absorbed by Shi-li-fo-shi (室利仏逝）before 660 AD.

In administration, Sui Shu record says among other title that established by Chi Tu were Sadhukara, Dhanada and Karmika for central administration. Kulapati for judiciary, while Nayaka and Pati for local community group, probably village or district. (Bhūpati in Srivijaya administration might derived from Pati, and still an official title in modern Indonesia). We did post regarding the inscription.

For comparison, below are list of population composition in Srivijaya territory found on inscription in Sumatera.

1. rājaputra (son of king)

2. kumārāmātya (ministers),

3. bhŭpati (regional leaders),

4. senāpati (generals),

5. nāyaka (local community leaders),

6. pratyaya (nobles),

7. hāji prataya (lesser king),

8. dandanayaka (judges),

9. tuhā an vatak (workers inspectors),

10. vuruh (workers),

11. addhyāksi nījavarna (lower supervisors),

12. vāsīkarana (blacksmiths/weapon makers),

13. cātabhata (soldiers),

14. adhikarana (officials),

15. kāyastha (store workers),

16. sthāpaka (artisans),

17. puhāvam (ship captains),

18. vaniyāga (traders),

19. marsī hāji (king’s servant),

20. hulun hāji (king’s slaves).

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=646829236121125&id=444762239661160

Ch'ih-Tu palace was strongly influenced by Brahman. Although, Buddhism was their official religious, but Brahman were highly respected. It was said that hundreds of Brahman live in the palace.

The palace had 3 stronghold gate and each were parted away by 100 steps to another and the picture of Bodhisattva were drawn. Bell and flower were hanged on it. It was guarded by women wearing giant-like costume. Those outside the gate were equipped with weapon. Men and women have their ear pierced as their custom and balming their body with fragrance. Women braid their hair into chignons. For those to wear gold pendant have to obtain permission from Palace (probably a special gold pendant with specific motif)

Rice is the staple food, and during one ceremony for Sui delegation, it was recorded they were served with various cake (kueh or dessert) with variety colours. Beef, goat, pig, fish, turtle were the dish served.

If Chi Tu located remotely in upper Kelantan river, most probably they are serving the fresh water (river) turtle and fish.

Although the above description (geopolitic and social) hardly to reflect Kedah Tua in 788 BC, but it may help us to understand tha regional polity. In one analysis, it was said, when Chenla expelled Funan from Indochina and launch military aggression towards Malay Peninsula country, (Malay Peninsula stretched from Kra Ithmus to Johor), the Malay countries were agreed to unite in a so called federation, a loose federation under one command to counter Chenla attack and perhaps, thats how was Srivijaya established, hence, expanding their territory in short time.

Anyway, Kedah Tua was among the last absorbed into Srivijaya ! Meanwhile, Larger Leiden Copper Plate Inscription wrotes about Makara, a sea creature in Straits of Malacca. Only those who able to capture or control the Makara will be the King of Kataha and eventually the dominant power of Straits of Malacca.

The methodology applied in the writing by gathering and compilation of various information from research papers, books,credible videos, websites, conference and talk. Followed by analysis and interaction to the information compiled.

The Trail of Kapur Barus (9)

In an article by Sumio Fukami who examined the Chinese Shiji Text and Hanshu Text says that camphor from Southeast Asia already known in Guangzhou as early as 2nd century BC or even earlier. Guangzhou is a city port until these days, and was one of the regular ports that Kunlun Bo (Malay trade vessel) sent their cargo. 2nd century BC meaning 2100 - 2200 years ago. This finding is quite consistent with speculation we made that camphor of SeA forest was no strange to Sui Dynasty when they received camphor as tributary from Chi-Tu 1400 years ago, or 607 AD to be exact.

As frequently written in articles, apart of gold as commodity from Sumatera and Peninsula, resources from the forest were also highly demand. Hence, the precious material like camphor that can only be obtained from the Nusantara camphor tree and others like sandal wood (kayu cendana), agarwood (kayu gaharu) were highly demand in the eastern land (China) and western Indian Ocean (India, Arab, Egypt, Persian, East Africa & Mediterranean).

At this point we have a scientific proof that camphor of Nusantara were very likely been applied in embalming the Egyptian mummy as old as 2700 - 3000 years ago and textual proof from Chinese kingdom 2100 - 2200 years ago. And by archaeological evidence, the only civilisation in Nusantara that aged more than 2500 years is Sungai Batu of Kedah Tua !

When Prof. Dr Dato' Mokhtar Saidin found the ancient remnant of Sungai Batu in 2006/2007, he was expecting the marks of 1st century AD, since there were many records says foreign traders travel thru Straits of Malacca in the early AD century, but where was the stopping point or harbouring point ? After geological study and site excavation Prof. Mokhtar Saidin found more than he expected. Until today Centre of Global Archaeology, University Sains Malaysia, under Prof. Mokhtar directive have found the brick remnant of wharf, ports, harbour master building, warehouse, ritual site and the meteorical finding was the ancient iron smelting complex dated 788 BC. We use meteorical word since iron were brought to earth by meteor !

But no one heard about those people who governed Sungai Batu city ports in BC years neither Chinese nor Indian accounts, especially in 7th or 8th century BC. Furthermore, the only maritime master in Indian Ocean during the time was the Malayo-Polynesian or Nusantara population. Waruno Mahdi has explained the Nusantaran maritime extensively in "The Dispersal of Austronesian boat forms in the Indian Ocean." Hence, very unlikely people of non-Austronesian came to settled in Sungai Batu in 788 BC or even earlier. In the reversal, Nusantaran have reached as far as Madagascar as early 3000 - 4000 years ago, and the Malayo-Polynesian (Austronesian) language still a mother tongue of the Malagasy, people of Madagascar. On the east Indian Ocean , Nusantara population initiated the trade with east coast India, wrotes Jane Allen, by sailing to Bengal Bay in BC years and influenced the boat making technic of that particular territory, according to Waruno Mahdi.

According to a talk by Dr Nasha Rodziadi, the small temple or candi that were built in 4th-5th century AD, in Lembah Bujang, Kedah Tua meant for Indian traders who have to stay temporary waiting for monsoon change. His argument was based on the candi's structure itself. None of candi's pillars and top structure or 'vimana' made of brick. It used perishable material, hinting that the candi were use seasonal or temporary. Not necessary to be identical as in their homeland.

Back to camphor trade, based on current finding and facts, the only possibility that camphor of Dryobalanops Aromatica have reached Egypt, Guangzhou and Wudang could be introduced by Nusantaran, and Sungai Batu of Kedah Tua was the only civilisation in Nusantara, camphor producer region, that able to facilitate international trade. The oldest wharf was dated 582 BC in Sungai Batu Archaeological Complex and not less than 50 more sites are yet to excavate which might shift the current dating to much earlier.

Although we can't find thru articles/papers that talked about inscription or cunieform or hiroglyph pertaining to Kedah Tua's trade, population and polity in 8th century BC as how Land of Punt, Parehu and Ati were immortalised in Queen Hatshepsut mortuary temple, but at least these 'exploration' in The Trail of Kapur Barus have connected the dot between kapur barus, Kedah Tua and neighbouring land with Thebes in Egypt and Wudang Taoist temple where both places history were circa 5th - 10th century BC, the same time Sg. Batu of Kedah Tua existed.

We will end these exploration at this chapter until further clues and evidence discovered. We have discussed type of camphor tree, usage of camphor in Egypt and China, Cinnamon Route, Spice Route, Indian Ocean exploration and Malayo-Polynesian.

Need more time and research to uncover the hidden history of Kedah Tua. Incense Route seems very interesting and promising. Divine order and Islamic source pertaining camphor will be great discussion. This Page represent the enthusiasts of history and archaeology will continue our effort as possible as we can.

The histo-archaeo enthusiasts very much indebted to Prof. Dr Mokhtar, CGAR and USM and hoping their effort in Research and Conservation in Sungai Batu, Lembah Bujang will unearth more amazing story and facts. More excavation, more funds required. Hope new Minister and State Government knows their roles.

But before we end this trail, lets make a REALITY CHECK. How to move on and take the lessons from the past history. Camphor that produced from Dryobalanops Aromatica tree still remain precious and high in demand. If camphor was a source of economy in the past, can it be the same in present time ? This Page invite all readers to read one research paper where it was sponsored by a prominent traditional pharmaceutical company from Singapore, Eu Yan Sang International Ltd (Singapore).

https://www.ajol.info/index.php/tjpr/article/view/13914

Think about it ! We should glorify the camphor industry once again by start planting the tree.

Thanks to all readers for persistently following this exploration.

(The methodology applied in the writing by gathering and compilation of various information from research papers, books, credible videos, websites, conference and talk. Followed by analysis and interaction to the information compiled)

References

Issues and Problems of Previous Studies in the Bujang Valley and the Discovery of Sungai Batu, Mokhtar Saidin, Jeffery Abdullah, Abdul Jalil Osman, Azman Abdullah.
Artefak Besi Dalam Industri Besi Sungai Batu, Lembah Bujang, Naizatul Akma Mohd Mokhtar, Mokhtar Saidin
The Bujang Valley and in the Early History of the 'Sea of Malayu', Leonard Y.Andaya
“POLITIK HISTORIOGRAFI” SEJARAH LOKAL: KISAH KEMENYAN DAN KAPUR DARI BARUS, SUMATERA UTARA, Ichwan AzhariJurusan Sejarah, Universitas Negeri Medan
The History of Srivijaya under Tributary Trade System of China, JPCA, Suzuki Takashi, 2012
F. Rosengarten, Jr. 1969. The Book Of Spices, p. 23–96, Jove Publ., Inc., New York.A Brief History of Spices
Jane DRAKARD, An Indian Ocean Port : Sources for the Earlier History of Barus
Chemical analyses of Egyptian mummification balms and organic residuesfrom storage jars dated from the Old Kingdom to the Copto-Byzantine period, Jeannette Jacqueline Lucejko Università di PisaJacques Connan University of Strasbourg, Sibilla Orsini Università di Pisa
Health and Medicine in Ancient Egypt: Magic and ScienceGreen Osiris: explaining ancient Egyptian medicine View projectPaula VeigabLudwig-Maximilians-University of Munich
Egyptian Funerary Practices, Shawn C. Knight
A prehistoric Egyptian mummy: Evidence for an ‘embalming recipe’ and the evolution of early formative funerary treatments, Jana Jonesa, Thomas F.G. Highamb, David Chivallb, Raffaella Bianuccic,d,e, Gemma L. Kayd,1,Mark J. Pallend,2, Ron Oldfieldf, Federica Uglianog,3, Stephen A. Buckley
A REVIEW ON THE MATERIALS USED DURING THE MUMMIFICATION PROCESSES IN ANCIENT EGYPTGomaa Abdel-Maksouda, Abdel-Rahman El-AminbaConservation Department, Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt bHuman Remains Lab. Conservation Centre, The Grand Egyptian Museum,Ministry of Antiquities affairs, Egypt
A REVIEW ON THE MATERIALS USED DURING MUMMIFICATION PROCESSES IN ANCIENT EGYPT
Article in Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry · January 2011Tokyo University of Arts View project Cairo University View projectAbdelrahman Elamin Teikyo University
Archaeology of Trade in the Western Indian Ocean,300 BC–AD 700 Eivind Heldaas Seland
Southeast Asia in the ancient Indian Ocean World Combining historical linguistic and archaeological approaches, Tom G. Hoogervorst, University of Oxford
The first migrants to Madagascar and their introduction of plants : linguistic and ethnological evidence, Philippe Beaujard
Evidence of Austronesian Genetic Lineages in East Africa and South Arabia: Complex Dispersal from Madagascar and Southeast AsiaNicolas Brucato1, Veronica Fernandes2,3, Pradiptajati Kusuma4, Viktor Cern y5, Connie J. Mulligan6, Pedro Soares3,7, Teresa Rito3,8,9, Celine Besse10, Anne Boland10, Jean-Francois Deleuze10, Murray P. Cox11, Herawati Sudoyo4,12, Mark Stoneking13, Luisa Pereira2,3, and Franc¸ois-Xavier Ricaut1,*
Across the Indian Ocean: the prehistoric movement of plants and animals, Dorian Q Fuller1, Nicole Boivin2, Tom Hoogervorst2 & Robin Allaby3
The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea : A Network Approach* Eivind Heldaas SELAND, Department of archaeology, history, cultural studies and religion,University of Bergen
Evidence for the Austronesian Voyages in the Indian Ocean, Roger Blench
The Dispersal of Austronesian boat forms in the Indian Ocean by Waruno Mahdi
Sino-Malay Trade and Diplomacy from the Tenth through the Fourteenth Century, Derek Heng Northern Arizona University
International Journal of the Malay World and Civilisation ( Zuliskandar Ramli & Nik Hassan Shuhaimi Nik Abd. Rahman Iman) 30(1), 2012: 171 - 196 171
Hubungan antara Semenanjung Tanah Melayu dengan China Sejak Awal Abad MasihiZULISKANDAR RAMLI & NIK HASSAN SHUHAIMI NIK ABD. RAHMAN
Jurnal Arkeologi Malaysia Disember 2017, Vol 30, No 2, hlm. 11-19, Kedah Tua: Satu Cerakinan Sumber India, Nasha Rodziadi Khaw, Nazarudin Zainun & Mokhtar Saidin
HUBUNGAN CH'IH-TU DENGAN DINASTI SUI 607-610 M: SATU ANALISIS SOSIOEKONOMI Nazarudin Zainun* ,Nasha Rodziadi Khaw**
The Indonesian Word (果布) in the Chinese Texts (史記) and Shiji (漢書) and Hanshu, Sumio FUKAMI
THE AUSTRONESIAN LANGUAGES OF ASIA AND MADAGASCAR:A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, Alexander Adelaar
A kingdom with a thousand faces February 5, 2010 - By Lita Davidson, Kaowao Newsgroup, Sangkhlaburi, Thailand1
SOME AUSTRONESIAN MAVERICK PROTOFORMS WITH CULTUREHISTORICAL IMPLICATIONS- 1, WARUNO MAHDI