The Kingdom of Śrīvijaya
Based on the island of Sumatra, the once-mighty Kingdom of Śrīvijaya flourished between the 7th and 13th centuries. It dominated much of the Indonesian archipelago and its influence reached across the Strait of Malacca into mainland Southeast Asia. Much research has been carried out, but numerous riddles are still unanswered.
The Lecture
In this public lecture, Professor Manguin revisits this elusive empire a century after its 'discovery' by George Cœdès. What is the current state of knowledge about this powerful yet Malay polity? How can such a prestigious kingdom in its time remain so elusive for archaeologists and historians today? Its origins, the location of its political centre in Southeast Sumatra, its territorial extent, the nature of its political and cultural influence have all been the subject of heated debates since 1918. Research carried out during the last three decades has settled many issues, but still leaves numerous riddles unanswered.
The Speaker
Pierre-Yves Manguin is an emeritus professor at the École française d'Extrême-Orient (EFEO, French School of Asian Studies). His research focuses on the history and archaeology of coastal states, trade networks, and ships of Southeast Asia. He has led archaeological work in Indonesia (South Sumatra and West Java) and Vietnam (Mekong Delta) and published on themes related to maritime history and archaeology of Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.
Programme
14.30 - 15.00 Reception with coffee & tea in the foyer of the Auditorium
15.00 - 15.10 Welcome & Introduction by William Southworth, curator of South-East Asian art at the Rijksmuseum, and Willem Vogelsang, deputy director of IIAS
15.10 - 16.00 Lecture by professor Pierre-Yves Manguin
16.00 - 16.30/45 Q&A, guided by William Southworth, curator
Registration
You are warmly invited to join professor Manguin’s public lecture on Saturday 19 October in the Auditorium of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam. Admission is free, but registration is required. Please use the web form on the right-hand side of this page.