Melaka’s ancient past reaches shore at the 'Port And Pottery' exhibition in UM

At the 'Port And Pottery' exhibition, a visitor walks past an array of large stoneware jars and pots – rescued from Melaka’s coastline – that were important in transporting liquids and solid items onboard trading ships. Photo: The Star/Azman Ghani

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.