SINGAPORE – Ceramics traded from China and South-east Asia were used by settlers in ancient Temasek 700 years ago. Today, fragments of them are among about 200 archaeological artefacts on display at Bras Basah MRT station.
This is the first time archaeological artefacts dug up in Singapore have been displayed at an MRT station. Commuters can also touch and feel the fragments at a hands-on section.
Organised by SMRT Trains and the National Heritage Board (NHB), the display features a variety of ceramic fragments, from blue-and-white creations bearing what are believed to resemble Sanskrit motifs to celadons – ceramic pottery that originated in China.
The display is part of a three-part initiative launched on Nov 19, titled Unearthing Stories Of Us. It will be on display for six months at Bras Basah MRT station, with NHB and SMRT exploring the possibility of taking the display to other stations.
The launch event was attended by Mr Baey Yam Keng, who is Minister of State for Transport, and Culture, Community and Youth.
The display is part of a three-part initiative launched on Nov 19, titled Unearthing Stories Of Us.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
The artefacts on display are from the 2015 excavation at Empress Place – one of Singapore’s largest excavation sites. The variety of items brought in from China and South-east Asia indicates that the island was a lively transshipment area with a bustling historical trade network 700 years ago.
Mr Yeo Kirk Siang, group director of policy and community at NHB, said: “All these artefacts tell a story of life back then, that our history did not just start from 1819 but actually traces back long before that.”
