Singapore’s History Is Running Out of Time
Top archaeologist Lim Chen Sian is sounding the alarm: the city‑state’s relentless construction spree could erase the very stories that came before the arrival of British colonialists.
What We Know (and What We It Will Take to Know More)
- There’s barely a written record of pre‑colonial Singapore. Most of what we understand comes from scraps of evidence uncovered in digs.
- Legend says scholars once thought the land was almost empty before Sir Stamford Raffles swept in during the 19th century, but Lim argues that was a myth.
- Artifacts suggest a thriving port from the 14th century to the mid‑17th century, trading with the Majapahit Empire to the south and the nascent Thai kingdom of Ayutthaya to the north.
- We’ve also found Chinese coffee‑scented coins and Imperial porcelain, proving trade links that stretch back over 700 years.
Why the Race to Save the Past Matters
Singapore is the size of half London, and with no dedicated archaeological authority or law mandating inspections before a new building, the burden falls on Lim and his tiny team. Every chunk of history is a chance to understand how the island “disappeared” in the centuries before Europeans arrived.
From the 2015 Deep‑Dive to the 2024 Island Adventure
In 2015 Lim led a dig right in the heart of the financial district—close to Raffles’ very first landing spot—and unearthed over 3 tonnes of treasure, including copper coins and Chinese porcelain. The find proved Singapore was a bustling trading hub for 700 years.
In December, he teamed up with the National Parks Board on Pulau Ubin, a relatively untouched island dotted with jungle. Armed with a machete and a heart full of curiosity, Lim and crew uncovered a 1930s colonial gun emplacement—a reminder that history isn’t just about the dragons of old.
Humor in History: Life Aboard the ‘No‑Longer‑Military’ Battlefield
Lim affirms that when British troops faced the Japanese in 1942, they were playing Monopoly instead of drinking whisky. “They were drinking milk,” he laughs, shouting a grin.
The Rising Hope: New Policies and Public Gaming
Thankfully, there’s a growing tide of recognition. The National Heritage Board’s new roadshow aims to raise awareness, and plans to survey potential archaeological sites are underway. This signals a shift toward more proactive intervention before it’s too late.
Take‑Away: Singapore Is More Than Skyscrapers
Lim stresses that failing to incorporate our past into the city’s development risks a “loss of identity and a sense of belonging.” The forgotten stories add value, reminding us that Singapore goes beyond glass, steel, and AC units. By rescuing those older layers, we get to rediscover a richer, more deeply rooted Singapore.
