[Talk] Journey to The Centre of The World: Introduction to Spice Island Archaeology

Readers may be interested in this talk by Shinatria Adhityatama next week, part of the ISEAS Art and Archaeology of Southeast Asia webinars that I am co-convening.

The Spice Islands, located in Eastern Indonesia, were once a key destination for traders. The prices of spices escalated in the early 13th century in response to demand from the global market, triggering competition between nations to monopolise this commodity. The Spice Islands and spice route cannot be separated from the Nusantara people. The role of the Nusantara people in producing spices and advancing shipbuilding technology shaped the way in which this commodity entered the global market. Conversely, the local presence of international traders shaped the cultural development from which the identity of the Indonesian nation arose. Ultimately, the spice route was more than a maritime trade route, but also a series of cultural, ideological, and even religious exchanges. This presentation will provide an overview of the spice route and how the local community played a role in managing the spices that were in global demand, as well as their socio-cultural and political impact based on archaeological finds.

Webinar Registration here