Identifying Singapore’s Maritime Cultural Landscape
Dublin Core
Title
Identifying Singapore’s Maritime Cultural Landscape
Description
The paper proposes to build upon existing approaches in the study of Singapore's past narrative by incorporating
the study of the maritime cultural landscape (MCL) to observe the micro connections and provide a closer
examination of the maritime activities around Singapore. This paper highlights Singapore's maritime cultural
landscapes within the premise of the MCL approach proposed by Christer Westerdahl. The case studies under
consideration include historical, archaeological and anthropological sources on maritime activity around
Singapore, the current historical narrative on Singapore, and recent maritime cultural landscape studies. The
expected results are to take on a different perspective in considering Singapore's maritime past as an island and
coastal settlement. It hopes to further the understanding of the island’s maritime past beyond the predominant
trade narrative. Ultimately, this allows stakeholders in Singapore to recognise the various types of maritime
cultural heritage that may reside around Singapore’s coast and waters. Consequently, the paper will highlight
how using the maritime cultural landscape approach could help with the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG) and further our thinking on the interactions between humans and seas.
the study of the maritime cultural landscape (MCL) to observe the micro connections and provide a closer
examination of the maritime activities around Singapore. This paper highlights Singapore's maritime cultural
landscapes within the premise of the MCL approach proposed by Christer Westerdahl. The case studies under
consideration include historical, archaeological and anthropological sources on maritime activity around
Singapore, the current historical narrative on Singapore, and recent maritime cultural landscape studies. The
expected results are to take on a different perspective in considering Singapore's maritime past as an island and
coastal settlement. It hopes to further the understanding of the island’s maritime past beyond the predominant
trade narrative. Ultimately, this allows stakeholders in Singapore to recognise the various types of maritime
cultural heritage that may reside around Singapore’s coast and waters. Consequently, the paper will highlight
how using the maritime cultural landscape approach could help with the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG) and further our thinking on the interactions between humans and seas.
Creator
Ng Jian Cheng Michael
Publisher
The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
Date
2023
Language
English
Bibliographic Citation
Cheng, Michael Ng Jian. 2023. “Identifying Singapore’s Maritime Cultural Landscape.” Edited by Jennifer Craig, Jay Mok, T. Kurt Knoerl, and Abhirada Komoot. In Proceedings of Fifth Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage: Gwangju, The Republic of Korea, November 13-18 2023. The Museum of Underwater Archaeology. URL: https://apconf.omeka.net/exhibits/show/apconfproceedings/item/1933
Files
Citation
Ng Jian Cheng Michael, “Identifying Singapore’s Maritime Cultural Landscape,” Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage Proceedings, accessed September 16, 2026, https://apconf.omeka.net/items/show/1933.