Latest / The Srivijaya Empire: Southeast Asia's Forgotten Maritime Superpower — Fexingo History
Srivijaya's Glass Beads: The Tiny Treasures That Built an Empire
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the unexpected cornerstone of Srivijaya's maritime economy: glass beads. While gold, spices, and sandalwood often steal the spotlight, millions of tiny glass beads — imported from India and the Middle East — served as the empire's everyday currency and diplomatic lubricant. Lucas explains how beads from sites like Kota Cina and a shipwreck off the coast of Thailand reveal a sophisticated trade network linking Southeast Asia to Sri Lanka, China, and even the Roman world. He discusses the archaeological evidence from Sungai Mas in Kedah and the…
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