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A General Survey of Ancient Trade Ceramics Recovered from Batang Kumpeh, Jambi

Since 2022, Jambi has emerged as a rich and exciting hunting ground for antique dealers and collectors seeking ancient Chinese trade ceramics. Of particular interest is the significant quantity of high-quality Southern Song Longquan wares that have flooded the antique market. These ceramics were subsequently traced to Batang Kumpeh in Muara Kumpeh.

According to friends who have visited the site, between 100 and 200 boats actively ply Batang Kumpeh, with divers searching for underwater treasures near its confluence with the main river, Batang Hari. One can easily imagine the daily hive of activity, filled with anticipation and occasional disappointment, as ceramics are retrieved from the riverbed.

Beyond Longquan wares, substantial quantities of 12th–13th century Guangdong and Fujian ceramics have been recovered. There are also notable examples of Jiangxi Jingdezhen qingbai wares and, on rare occasions, Yaozhou and Jizhou ceramics. The majority of these trade ceramics date to the 12th–13th centuries, though smaller quantities of earlier and later pieces have also surfaced.

According to information from a local source, some divers reported finding Yue wares buried deeper in the riverbed, making retrieval hazardous. A friend of mine acquired a beautiful Northern Song Yue ewer with a carved parrot decoration from this location, further confirming the diversity of ceramics in the area.

The Importance of Batang Kumpeh as a Ceramics Repository

Through Facebook, numerous ancient Chinese ceramics originating from Batang Kumpeh have been offered for sale by Indonesian dealers. This river appears to be a remarkable depository of Chinese ceramics spanning over a thousand years. Interestingly, Southeast Asian Thai and Vietnamese ceramics from the late 14th–16th centuries—representing a later phase of trade ceramics during the Ming Dynasty's maritime trade ban—have also been discovered here.

For researchers and collectors, this presents an invaluable opportunity to document and study a significant collection of reference materials that could enhance our understanding of ancient ceramic trade networks in Jambi and, more broadly, across Southeast Asia. While the recovery of these ceramics is not conducted through scientific excavation—leading to the loss of crucial contextual information—we can still construct a reasonably accurate chronological and trade pattern analysis. By comparing these finds with data from Southeast Asian shipwreck cargoes and Chinese kiln excavation reports, we can piece together the nature of this trade.

It is essential to gather and document this information before these artifacts become scattered across the world through online sales, potentially losing valuable historical context with time.

A Range of 12th–13th Century Chinese Ceramics from Batang Kumpeh

During a Google search, I came across an article by Dr. Edwards McKinnon detailing an archaeological surface survey conducted at Muara Kumpeh Hilir in the early 1980s. He referenced historian Schlegel, who suggested that “Muara Kumpeh was a principal port of the country (of Jambi), occupying a strategic location on the approach to Jambi,” which was about 72 km upstream from Batang Hari.

Ceramic sherds collected from the riverbank by Dr. McKinnon dated to the 12th–14th centuries. Suak Kandis, on the opposite bank of the river, revealed similar findings.

Historical Background of the Melayu Kingdom

The significant volume of ceramics recovered from Batang Kumpeh indirectly supports fragmentary historical records indicating a shift in political and commercial power from Palembang to Jambi following Srivijaya’s defeat by the Chola in 1025 CE. Between 1079 and 1088, Chinese records document ambassadors being sent from both Jambi and Palembang, suggesting that the center of Srivijaya’s power frequently alternated between these two cities during that period.

The Melayu (or Mauli) Kingdom was officially established in 1183 CE and lasted until its conquest by Majapahit in the 14th century. Notably, a significant proportion of the ceramics found in Batang Kumpeh date to the 13th century, with a high quantity of fine Longquan celadon wares. This suggests a period of economic prosperity for the region, possibly driven by active trade. From a geopolitical perspective, the Melayu Kingdom appears to have been at its peak during the 13th century, with trade playing a crucial role in its wealth and influence.

Evidence from Muaro Jambi Temple Complex

Unlike Palembang, where physical traces of Srivijaya’s once-powerful empire are scarce, the Muaro Jambi temple complex stands as a testament to its past glory. Located 26 km east of Jambi city, this Buddhist temple complex was built by the Melayu Kingdom and is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient temple sites in Southeast Asia. It spans approximately 12 square kilometers, with eight excavated temple sanctuaries, while 80 more temple mounds remain unrestored. The site’s origins are estimated to date from the 7th to 13th centuries CE.

A friend who recently visited Muaro Jambi was able to find fragments of ancient Chinese ceramics at the temple complex.

Analysis of Ancient Chinese Ceramics Recovered from Batang Kumpeh

The ancient Chinese ceramics recovered from Batang Kumpeh can be broadly categorized into four main groups spanning roughly two centuries (12th–13th century). Smaller quantities of ceramics from earlier and later periods were also found, though in much lower proportions. This reflects Jambi’s fluctuating geopolitical significance—first under Srivijaya’s dominance and later as part of the Majapahit Empire.

For a more detailed discussion on the ceramics found within each category, please refer to the links below:

Closing Remarks

Based on currently available information, it appears that Indonesian divers have recovered most of the Longquan pieces from the existing location. The search has now shifted to other areas within Batang Kumpeh, where findings are predominantly from Fujian and Guangdong kilns.


Muaro Jambi Temple Complex