Temuan Kapal Tenggelam Dari Situs Karang Kennedy: Gambaran Perairan Belitung Bagian Selatan Dalam Jalur Perdagangan Maritim Pada Awal Abad Xx

Abstract

Abstract. This paper discusses about maritime trade routes in southern Belitung waters in the past based on archaeological remains found at Karang Kennedy Reef by South Sumatra Archaeological Center in 2018. Inductive method was used in this study and the main data were the cargo found in the shipwreck. Data was collected thorugh underwater survey and mapping and then went into specific and contextual analysis. Written sources was also used for data interpretation. The result indicates that Karang Kennedy Site shipwreck is an evidence that Belitung used to be a part of international trade routes. Although the southern Belitung waters are protected from direct wind gusts Java sea or Belitung island, those are also relatively shallow and overgrown with coral reefs that limited the movement of ships and large boats to sail in this area.Keywords: Shipwreck site, Maritime trade, Underwater archaeologyAbstrak. Tulisan ini membahas tentang gambaran jalur perdagangan maritim di wilayah perairan Belitung bagian selatan pada masa lalu. Data yang digunakan dalam tulisan ini berupa tinggalan arkeologi yang ditemukan di Situs Karang Kennedy hasil penelitian Balai Arkeologi Sumatera Selatan tahun 2018. Metode penalaran yang digunakan pada tulisan ini adalah metode induktif. Data yang digunakan adalah temuan arkeologi hasil penelitian tahun 2018 berupa sisa kapal tenggelam dan muatannya. Pengumpulan data pada kegiatan tersebut dilakukan dengan cara survei dan pemetaan bawah air. Analisis temuan dilakukan baik secara khusus maupun kontekstual, semetara interpretasi data menggunakan analogi sejarah dari sumber-sumber tertulis. Hasil kajian ini menunjukkan temuan kapal tenggelam di Situs Karang Kennedy merupakan bukti bahwa Belitung juga merupakan bagian dari perdagangan internasional. Selain itu penemuan sisa kapal di Karang Kennedy ini juga dapat dijadikan bukti tentang gambaran pelayaran di perairan bagian selatan Belitung. Meskipun posisi perairan bagian selatan Belitung terlindung dari hembusan angin langsung yang berasal dari arah laut Jawa atau daratan pulau Belitung namun perairan tersebut relatif dangkal dan banyak ditumbuhi terumbu karang sehingga membatasi gerak kapal-kapal dan perahu-perahu berukuran besar yang melintasinya.Kata kunci: Situs kapal tenggelam, Perdagangan maritim, Arkeologi bawah air

Maritime Historical Archaeology Research at Balok River, Belitung Island

“…Therefore, it seems that the waters of Balok Bay are not directly affected by the presence of strong currents and high waves originating from the Java Sea. This aquatic environment is also relatively safer from the effects of large winds that endanger shipping [3], [7].…”

“…The existence of pangkalans in this area is still used by the community even though most of its role as a transportation route has shifted to the road network [7]. This such condition is not found at the base sites located in the watersheds of the Padang River and the Buding River [4], [7]. The results of the 2021 study show that locations that have pangkalan toponym are generally associated with archaeological sites.…”

“…The results of the 2021 study show that locations that have pangkalan toponym are generally associated with archaeological sites. In general, this toponymy is not only found in the watersheds of the Balok River but also the watersheds of the Padang River and the Buding River [4], [7]. Currently, except Pangkalan Kapur, pangkalans along the Balok River are still used as a place for mooring boats.…”

“…Archaeological research on Belitung Island conducted by the South Sumatra Archaeological Research Service and the National Archaeological Research Center shows that past settlements were generally located in the interior of the watershed. These were found in the watershed of the Padang River, Buding River, and Balok River [3]- [6]. In general, the subsistence system of the community did not only utilize resources derived from terrestrial ecosystems but also marine ecosystems [3], [4].…”

“…These were found in the watershed of the Padang River, Buding River, and Balok River [3]- [6]. In general, the subsistence system of the community did not only utilize resources derived from terrestrial ecosystems but also marine ecosystems [3], [4]. The artifacts suggested that people who lived along the three watersheds in the past had involved in long-distance maritime trade networks [3]- [6].…”