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IIUM lecturer defends claim Romans learned shipbuilding from Malays
Solehah Yaacob says her conclusion is based on a research hypothesis developed through ‘extensive study’ since completing her PhD in 2005
Solehah Yaacob, an Arabic language lecturer from IIUM, was ridiculed for claiming that ancient Romans may have learned shipbuilding from Malay seafarers. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: An International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) lecturer who was ridiculed for saying that ancient Romans may have learned shipbuilding techniques from Malay seafarers has doubled down on her claim.
Arabic language lecturer Solehah Yaacob said her remarks were made based on a research hypothesis developed through “extensive study” since completing her PhD in 2005.
“My hypothesis, grounded in classical Arabic sources, proposes that the Romans acquired aspects of the art of shipbuilding from the peoples of the Malay Archipelago,” she said in a statement today.
“Unlike the Europeans, who were largely continental, the Malays were a maritime civilisation.”
Solehah said her hypothesis is supported by numerous references, including PY Manguin’s “The Southeast Asian Ship: An Historical Approach” in the Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, and RL Smith’s book “Premodern Trade in World History”.
She also said the Malays’ superior nautical knowledge and shipbuilding skills made them among the earliest masters of the sea.
‘Romans did not engage in significant seafaring’
Solehah pointed out that the Roman empire did not engage in significant international maritime activities until after 31 BCE, following its conquest of Egypt.
She said the Romans lacked advanced seafaring capabilities before this period, as even the route between Rome and Egypt was relatively short and did not require true oceanic navigation.
“However, the Romans, Vikings, and Slavs were all known for seeking high-quality iron to forge weapons for warfare and conquest. Several Arabic sources mention ‘Al-qalʿa al-Rumi’ – literally ‘the Roman sword of Qalʿa’ – also referred to as ‘Al-Sharbuqan’,” she said.
Signs point to ancient Kedah
Solehah said classical Islamic scholars such as Al-Biruni also noted that the art of iron-smelting was developed in Qalʿa, which according to Arab philosopher Al-Kindi, was situated in ancient Kedah.
“What we know for certain is that the quality of European timber at the time was unsuitable for long-distance oceanic voyages.
“This likely prompted the Romans to seek experienced navigators from Egypt, and possibly from the Indian or Malay worlds, who could guide them towards the source of Qalʿa iron,” she said.
She also said supporting evidence from museum archives in Australia noted that the finest deep-sea shipbuilders originated from Austronesia, or modern-day Indonesia.
“Historical newspaper reports even record the striking statement, ‘The first man to sail around the world was a Malay’,” she said.
She noted that the term “Malay” predates the term “Austronesian”, which was only coined by European Orientalists in the 19th century.
“Before this label emerged, who were these seafaring peoples? Clearly, during the period of the Srīvijaya Empire – known as the Great Maritime Malay Kingdom – our ancestors were already recognised as Malays.
“Their predecessors, too, must have been Malays, inheriting an ancient and continuous tradition of seafaring, navigation, and exploration,” she said.
“With these clarifications, I sincerely hope that all forms of slander, insult, disinformation, and ridicule circulating across social media, tabloids, and official news outlets will come to an end.”
Arabic language lecturer Solehah Yaacob said her remarks were made based on a research hypothesis developed through “extensive study” since completing her PhD in 2005.
“My hypothesis, grounded in classical Arabic sources, proposes that the Romans acquired aspects of the art of shipbuilding from the peoples of the Malay Archipelago,” she said in a statement today.
“Unlike the Europeans, who were largely continental, the Malays were a maritime civilisation.”
Solehah said her hypothesis is supported by numerous references, including PY Manguin’s “The Southeast Asian Ship: An Historical Approach” in the Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, and RL Smith’s book “Premodern Trade in World History”.
She also said the Malays’ superior nautical knowledge and shipbuilding skills made them among the earliest masters of the sea.
‘Romans did not engage in significant seafaring’
Solehah pointed out that the Roman empire did not engage in significant international maritime activities until after 31 BCE, following its conquest of Egypt.
She said the Romans lacked advanced seafaring capabilities before this period, as even the route between Rome and Egypt was relatively short and did not require true oceanic navigation.
“However, the Romans, Vikings, and Slavs were all known for seeking high-quality iron to forge weapons for warfare and conquest. Several Arabic sources mention ‘Al-qalʿa al-Rumi’ – literally ‘the Roman sword of Qalʿa’ – also referred to as ‘Al-Sharbuqan’,” she said.
Signs point to ancient Kedah
Solehah said classical Islamic scholars such as Al-Biruni also noted that the art of iron-smelting was developed in Qalʿa, which according to Arab philosopher Al-Kindi, was situated in ancient Kedah.
“What we know for certain is that the quality of European timber at the time was unsuitable for long-distance oceanic voyages.
“This likely prompted the Romans to seek experienced navigators from Egypt, and possibly from the Indian or Malay worlds, who could guide them towards the source of Qalʿa iron,” she said.
She also said supporting evidence from museum archives in Australia noted that the finest deep-sea shipbuilders originated from Austronesia, or modern-day Indonesia.
“Historical newspaper reports even record the striking statement, ‘The first man to sail around the world was a Malay’,” she said.
She noted that the term “Malay” predates the term “Austronesian”, which was only coined by European Orientalists in the 19th century.
“Before this label emerged, who were these seafaring peoples? Clearly, during the period of the Srīvijaya Empire – known as the Great Maritime Malay Kingdom – our ancestors were already recognised as Malays.
“Their predecessors, too, must have been Malays, inheriting an ancient and continuous tradition of seafaring, navigation, and exploration,” she said.
“With these clarifications, I sincerely hope that all forms of slander, insult, disinformation, and ridicule circulating across social media, tabloids, and official news outlets will come to an end.”
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