The artifact I chose was one that I am sure most of Singapore’s young generation has probably seen. It is the gold jewelry of Java origin, found in the area near Fort Canning. It is on nearly all of the textbooks covering Singapore’s history, and how many an eye has briefly passed over it.

The artifact is of Javanese origin, and was excavated among other artifacts in an area near Fort Canning on 7 July 1926. It was dated from the Majapahit period, in the middle of the 14th century. To this day, it is the only gold artifact excavated in Singapore. This artifact implies great things for Singapore. It is great evidence proving that Singapore was not just a sleepy little fishing village before the arrival of Raffles. It is proof that there was major commercial activity in Singapore.

What struck me most about this artifact was not its illustrious history, nor what it might mean for Singapore, as I mentioned above, but our ignorance of it. We see it in our history textbooks all the time, it being one of the more prominent artifacts in sections on Singapore’s early history before the arrival of Raffles, rubbing shoulders with artifacts such as the much celebrated Singapore Stone.

There is much of Singapore’s history shown in these artifacts. There is show much of Singapore right in our very homeland, yet how much of our culture do we really know? We go on expensive holidays overseas, and immerse ourselves in the culture of other countries, yet how much do we know about our own? We visit their famous monuments, yet how many of our monuments back home have we actually visited? The Cenotaph, to commemorate the losses of European Volunteers during World War I? The Indian National Army Monument, which marks the spot where the previous Monument stood to commemorate the ‘Unknown Warrior’ of the INA, and was destroyed by the British? The countless museums, such as the Asian Civilizations Museum or the National Museum, scattered around the town area? Fort Canning Hill? Some Singaporeans have even yet to visit the Merlion!

We younger generation, and indeed some of the older generations, should take more care in knowing our roots, and the history of our island. What is the point of going all the way to Paris to climb the Eiffel Tower when you haven’t even seen the Merlion? It is also about national pride. We should be proud of our country and its achievements.

Tags: Majapahit Gold, Fort Canning Archaeological Site, SGCool Contest