The Miracle of Shipwreck Treasures @ National Museum

October 3, 2011 at 2:00 pm

Captain Jack Sparrow and his antics in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean have renewed interest in maritime activities, especially during the time when the seas were filled with galleons, galleys, and of course, pirates. The Straits of Malacca was an important trade route between the West and China at that time, and the Malacca Sultanate was envied by many foreign powers as it controlled this important seaway.

A blue and white Chinese plate with a coral growing on the rim of the plate. The plate was found from a sunken ship named Desaru

Many ships made the journey between the East and West, but not every ship managed to complete it. Some were lost due to bad weather, others due to accidents while the rest became victims of attacks. All eventually ended up at the bottom of the sea. And what the sea takes, the sea keeps. That is till enterprising men in scuba gear and submersibles find the shipwrecks again. Then the sea gives up what it has held for centuries, returning a treasure trove of precious cargo and artifacts, as well as common items of that glorious era to mankind once again.

Sunflower seeds were also found buried under the sea together with other precious treasures

If you wish to feast your eyes on some sunken treasure, then you should pay a visit to the National Museum in Kuala Lumpur. The National Museum is currently hosting an exhibition entitled The Miracle of Shipwreck Treasures that feature an assortment of items recovered from 13 shipwrecks off the seas of Malaysia. Items include Chinese artifacts like porcelain items, herbs and glass beads, as well as Portuguese cannons made from bronze.

A Portuguese cannon made from bronze is also one of the treasures that are on display at the National Museum

The exhibition is open to the public daily from 9 am to 6 pm and will end at the end of this year. Admission is RM3 each.

Tags: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, National Museum, Tourism Promotion