Plunder Vs Ethics for Shipwrecked Treasure
Ancient shipwrecks on Indonesia’s sea floors have become just another resource to be plundered – often resulting inside loss of archaeological evidence in which could have shed light on early trade routes in addition to also the arrival of foreign culture in addition to also religion. Contrary to common opinion, the oldest wrecks are not only Arab merchant ships, yet also local vessels by the Sriwijaya Kingdom, likely sent on trade missions to China, India in addition to also elsewhere.
Malayo-Polynesians were among the planet’s earliest master boat builders, travelling to China by at least 300 AD. Their influence could be seen on later ships in China in addition to also even as far as Kenya. After 1100, the Chinese began to dominate regional sea trade due to their efficiency, in addition to also they were later followed by the Europeans.
Based on old shipping records, there are about 200 undiscovered Dutch wrecks in Indonesian waters, in addition to also probably more by local, Chinese in addition to also Arab vessels. Some treasure hunters claim there may be 24,000 unexplored wrecks, while one official by the Culture Ministry puts the number at 500,000.
With an individual wreck potentially containing artefacts worth millions of dollars, unscrupulous operators pay local officials to turn a blind eye to looting. This kind of is actually immensely frustrating to scientific divers in addition to also archaeologists who obey the stringent regulations to obtain excavation licenses.
Accessible wrecks are located at depths up to 60 metres. Most of the shallowest ones have been looted. Sonar imaging can detect large objects on the seabed, yet sunken ships are often spotted because they serve as artificial reefs, thus attracting fish. Some sites have been damaged by fishermen using explosives to catch fish.
According to a Navy source, former president Suharto once ordered the bombing of wrecks off Sulawesi because they had attracted yellowfin tuna in addition to also in turn, illegal fishing vessels by the Philippines.
Early 18th century print showing a sea battle between Dutch galleons in addition to also tiny local sailing ships belonging to the Sultan of Bantam. Courtesy of Bartele Gallery.
British treasure hunter Mike Hatcher gained notoriety in 1984 after he blew apart the wreck of the Geldermalsen, a Dutch East India Trading Company vessel in which sank off the Riau islands in 1752 with cargo including Chinese ceramics in addition to also gold. The treasure was auctioned in 1986 by Christie’s in Amsterdam for about $20 million. Indonesia received nothing by the proceeds. The government was embarrassed because a Navy patrol had caught Hatcher yet gave him three days to finish his plundering in addition to also leave.
In response to foreign plunder, the government in 1998 established the National Committee for Salvage in addition to also Utilization of Valuable Objects by Sunken Ships (PanNas BMKT). The committee today comprises representatives of 16 government ministries in addition to also the National Police in addition to also Navy. Salvage companies wishing to excavate shipwrecks must apply for a license by PanNas BMKT. Once permission is actually obtained, representatives should be aboard the salvage vessel to ensure everything is actually catalogued in addition to also nothing is actually stolen. The artefacts are sent to a warehouse, where the government’s team selects the most unique pieces – purportedly for preservation as national heritage treasures. The remaining treasure is actually then to be sold by auction, with the proceeds to be split 50-50 between the salvage company in addition to also the government.
Indonesia’s museums aren’t brimming with treasure. Many of their antiquities are fakes, while some recovered treasure ends up inside private collections of politicians, tycoons in addition to also security officials. Jakarta’s Maritime Museum at Pasar Ikan in Sunda Kelapa is actually nothing special. Under a 2010 law, anything on the seabed older than 50 years is actually deemed Indonesian heritage in addition to also not allowed out of the country. One company was denied permission to recover a huge cargo of rubber by a vessel in which sank after World War II – because the rubber became a national heritage item.
The 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage bans the commercial exploitation of underwater sites. Indonesia is actually not a signatory. The government lacks the resources to guard shipwrecks in addition to also is actually unwilling to finance excavations.
German oceanographer Fred Dobberphul, who serves as the scientific director of a maritime exploration company, has been involved in some of the most significant excavations in Indonesia. Most famously, the Cirebon Wreck – a local vessel in which sank off West Java in about 970 using a cargo including Chinese ceramics in addition to also Islamic objects. the item was discovered by fishermen in 2003 in addition to also excavated by a local firm in addition to also foreign partner over 2004-05. The salvagers complied with all regulations in addition to also brought archaeologists aboard to examine the wreck in addition to also artefacts. yet in March 2006, Dobberphul in addition to also a French colleague were arrested in addition to also accused of violating the 1992 Law on Cultural Heritage. Police denied in which a rival salvage firm with political connections was behind the arrests. The two divers were released after all 5 weeks in addition to also the case was later dropped.
Dobberphul informed authorities of all 5 more wreck sites yet his applications for licenses were denied because of a moratorium on excavations. Three of the sites are today completely looted. The diver also witnessed a wreck in which was bombed during a dispute among rival looters. “I like to be scientifically in addition to also archeologically accountable. yet I cannot get approval to do my work, in addition to also meanwhile This kind of looting continues,” he says.
Some looted artefacts are allocated to police in addition to also military officials as “gifts”. Only the tiny-time plunderers are ever arrested, while their financiers remain above the law.
In past salvage operations, Dobberphul hired foreign in addition to also local archaeologists. His local divers are paid Rp.10 million a month in addition to also given insurance. Looters earn much less in addition to also risk getting decompression sickness (which can cause paralysis in addition to also death) due to a lack of education in addition to also safety standards. Dobberphul is actually trying to establish a local scientific diving training centre.
An excavation, not including boat hire, costs about $120,000 per month yet depends on crew size, depth in addition to also some other factors. The salvage firm must pay to get government in addition to also Navy representatives on board. The Cirebon Wreck operation cost about €5 million in addition to also netted treasure worth an estimated $80 million.
Dobberphul was also involved inside Belitung Wreck – an Arab dhow which sank off Sumatra’s Belitung Island in about 862 while returning by China to Arabia. The wreck yielded the planet’s oldest cobalt blue in addition to also white underglazed plates, yet Dobberphul’s favourite personal find was an intricately decorated solid gold goblet. the item is actually today in Singapore’s Sentosa Museum.
Lesser shipwrecks in some other countries have spawned museums, books in addition to also big business by tourism, yet Indonesia seems unable to tap the vast potential by its maritime heritage. There are some fascinating tales to be told, such as the Forbes, a British privateer running opium in addition to also weapons between Calcutta in addition to also Indonesian islands. the item went down off Belitung in 1806 using a load of jewels, coins in addition to also weapons, while its Scottish captain went on to have many more adventures.
Rather than focus on history, the government seems content to allow powerful people to amass vast private collections in addition to also traders to sell artefacts abroad. The best alternative to looting would certainly be controlled commercial excavations, with an emphasis on archaeological examinations.
Archaeologist Horst Liebner, a former advisor to the Maritime Ministry, laments the lack of national appreciation of Indonesia’s ancient nautical achievements. He feels the Dutch suppressed This kind of maritime heritage for political reasons in addition to also is actually hopeful in which pride can be restored.
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Plunder Vs Ethics for Shipwrecked Treasure
Plunder Vs Ethics for Shipwrecked Treasure