Abstract :
The central idea of this paper is to reveal some facts on the usage of ancientartifacts in dealing with indigenous civilization. The materials of the study are four bronze bells found in Malaysia. Dating was done through Thermolunescence method on the bronze bell found at Kampung Penchu, Muar (Johor) and it is found that the bell was manufactured on circa 150 AD. The researcher also utilized typological method to study their physical aspects, namely, their form and motive patterns. It is found that all the bronze bells found in Malaysia are identical. For that reason, they are assumed as originated from the same place and period. This study concludes that those bronze bells were not the local products, but imported from outside. This is based on laboratorial analysis that shows the bell was not composed of natural minerals found in this country. It is argued that the existence of those bronze bells in Malaysia were brought through trade activities. Moreover, this paper emphases that bronze bells found in Malaysia has its contributions to the research on indigenous civilization. Among others, it reminds us that not every event in the past is important to the present. It is the same way when dealing with ancient materials; not all ancient artifacts have direct linkages with the present-day indigenous civilization. Some of them are just ‘old things.’ It is true everything has its own unique history, even the dead horse. But it is historical importances are only on its own, not necessarily to others.
Keywords :
Dating , motives , trade activities , imported and paradoxes.
