(Back to TOP:jpn)        (Back to TOP:eng) 
www.a-bombsurvivor.com/todaystopics/2019.april/15.boston.html
www.a-bombsurvivor.com/todaystopics/2019.april/21.philippines-laguna-archaeological.monument.html   
     /todaystopics/2019.april/21.philippines-laguna-archaeological.monument.html

                  　      ヨシダが選んだ「きょうのできごと特集号」
                        （きょうのできごと実績一覧表：Eng&Jpn）
　　　　       フィリピン・ラグーナの銅版記述物（４月２１日のできごと）       
            The Laguna Copperplate Inscription:April  21  Event)    
日本語版：「当該記事なし」
English Edition:"900 – The Laguna Copperplate Inscription (the earliest known written document found in what is now the Philippines): the Commander-in-Chief of the Kingdom of Tondo, as represented by the Honourable Jayadewa, Lord Minister of Pailah, pardons from all debt the Honourable Namwaran and his relations.          
"The Laguna Copperplate Inscription: An Ancient Text That Changed the Perception of the History of the Philippines-Article Origin"
　　　　              "The Laguna Copperplate Inscription-pictures"
　　                 "The Laguna Copperplate Inscription-Wikipedia" 
                   "Laguna Copperplate Inscription-words-Wikipedia"
　　　　　　　　　　　 "Laguna Art Museum-Wikipedia"
                      (The 43-15-line-photo-attached file/   .  KB)　　
　
 
 
        
   
  
               
    
     
     
       
        
        
        

"The Laguna Copperplate Inscription: An Ancient Text That Changed the Perception of the History of the Philippines-Article Origin"

　　　            　　　　　　　
The Laguna Copperplate Inscription is the name of an inscription written on an artifact that has great significance for the understanding of the history of the Philippines during the 10th century AD – a time when many scholars believed that the area was isolated from the rest of Southeast Asia.

Political Entities in Southeast Asia in the 10th Century

During the 10th century, a number of political entities were in existence in Southeast Asia. One of the most famous of these was the Khmer Empire, which dominated much of the Southeast Asian mainland. To its east, the modern country of Vietnam was divided between the Chinese in the north, and the Kingdom of Champa in the south. The seas below the Southeast Asian mainland were beyond the reach of the Khmers and were largely controlled by a maritime empire known as Srivijaya.

The maximum extent of the Srivijaya Empire during the 8th century. ( CC BY SA 3.0 )

However, there is little information on the area in the part of this region where the modern country of the Philippines is now situated. This lack of information led many scholars to believe that it was isolated from the rest of the region. Thus, the Laguna Copperplate Inscription is an important artifact, as it has allowed scholars to re-evaluate the situation in this part of Southeast Asia during the 10th century AD.

Characteristics of the Laguna Copperplate

The Laguna Copperplate is a thin piece of copper sheet measuring about 20 x 20 cm (7.9 x 7.9 inches), which was discovered around 1987. It has been reported that this artifact was found during dredging activities with a mechanical conveyor in the Lumbang River, which is situated in the Province of Laguna. This province is located to the east of Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

It is interesting to note that the Laguna Copperplate only came to the attention of scholars in 1990, when it was offered for sale to the National Museum in Manila, after attempts to sell it in the antiques market had been met with little interest.   

• Chief Lapu-Lapu - Warrior and Hero of the Philippines
• The Unique Hanging Coffins of Sagada, Philippines
• Fire Mummies - The Smoked Human Remains of the Kabayan Caves

An Incomplete Artifact

Investigations by Antoon Postma, a Dutch anthropologist, have revealed that the inscription on the Laguna Copperplate is incomplete, and it is highly likely that there was another similar piece of copperplate with inscriptions on it that has been lost. In an article published in 1992, Postma wrote that:

Origins of the Inscription on the Laguna Copperplate

The inscription on the surviving copperplate is in itself intriguing, and has provided enough material for scholars to analyze. For instance, the type of script used in the Laguna Copperplate Inscription has been identified as the so-called ‘Early Kawi Script,’ a writing system that originated in the Indonesian island of Java, and was used across much of maritime Southeast Asia during the 10th century AD.

In fact, this script is said to have been derived from the Pallava script, which has its origins in India. As for the language of the inscription, it has been found to be heavily influenced linguistically by Sanskrit, Old Malay, and Old Javanese. Both the type script, and the language of the Laguna Copperplate Inscription, therefore, shows that this area was not actually isolated from the rest of Southeast Asia, as had been previously assumed.
　    　　　　　　　　　　　
The Inscription

The inscription begins by providing a date:

“Hail! In the Saka-year 822; the month of March-April; according to the astronomer: the fourth day of the dark half of the moon; on Monday.”

The Saka era has its origins in India (supposedly marking the ascension of the Kushan emperor Kanishka), and the year 822 is said to correspond with the year 900 AD in the Gregorian calendar. The use of this calendrical system is further evidence that there were cultural links between this area of Southeast Asia and its neighbors, which at that time, were largely under the cultural influence of India.    

As for the subject matter of the Laguna Copperplate Inscription, it has been suggested that the inscription is a “semi-official certificate of acquittal of a debt incurred by a person in high office, together with his whole family, all relatives and descendants.”

A high-contrast copy of the Laguna Copperplate Inscription. ( Public Domain )

This acquittal is also said to be confirmed by other officials/leaders, some of whom have been mentioned by name, along with their area of jurisdiction. These officials include “His Honor the Leader of Puliran, Kasumuran; His Honor the Leader of Pailah, representing Ganasakti; (and) His Honor the Leader of Binwangan, representing Bisruta.” The recording of these names suggests that there was some sort of political and social organization in the Philippines of the 10th century AD.

• New study suggests that the Philippines is the ancestral homeland of Polynesians
• Ancient human remains in Philippines reveal rare ritual burial 
• Ancient Maps spark debate between China and Philippines over South China Sea islands

To conclude, the Laguna Copperplate, which would probably not attract instant public attention as gold or silver artifacts would, is in fact an immensely important object. This seemingly insignificant artifact has sparked a re-assessment of the history of the Philippines prior to the coming of the Spanish, in particular the 10th century AD, and the archipelago’s relationship with the rest of Southeast Asia.   

Featured image: The Laguna Copperplate Inscription. Photo source: ( Paul Morrow )

• 紀元前753年 - ロームルスが都市国家ローマの初代王に即位。
• 878年（元慶2年3月15日） - 元慶の乱が始まる。
• 1509年 - イングランド王ヘンリー7世が死去。ヘンリー8世が即位。
• 1519年 - エルナン・コルテスがメキシコ本土（現在のベラクルス）に上陸。
• 1526年 - 第一次パーニーパットの戦い。バーブルの軍がローディー朝の軍を破る。ローディー朝スルターン・イブラーヒーム・ローディーが戦死してローディー朝が終焉。ムガル帝国建国の契機となる。
• 1591年（天正19年2月28日） - 豊臣秀吉の命により、千利休が聚楽第で切腹する。
• 1701年（元禄14年3月14日） - 赤穂藩主・浅野長矩が江戸城松之大廊下で吉良義央に刃傷、長矩は即日切腹・赤穂藩は断絶の処分が下る。
• 1796年 - フランス革命戦争: モンドヴィの戦い（英語版）。ナポレオン率いるフランス軍がサルデーニャ王国に勝利。
• 1798年 - フランス革命戦争: ラ・ド・サンの海戦でイギリスが勝利。
• 1836年 - テキサス革命: サンジャシントの戦い
• 1872年（明治5年3月14日） - 神祇省を廃止し教部省を設置。
• 1918年 - 第一次世界大戦: 「レッドバロン」ことドイツ陸軍の航空士官マンフレート・フォン・リヒトホーフェンが撃墜され戦死。
• 1919年 - 堺利彦・山川均らが『社会主義研究』を創刊。
• 1927年 - 昭和金融恐慌: 十五銀行が休業。
• 1932年 - 東京市内4か所に自動式公衆電話を設置。
• 1934年 - 渋谷駅前の忠犬ハチ公像が完成し、除幕式を挙行。ハチ自身も除幕式に出席。
• 1934年 - デイリー・メール紙がネス湖で撮影されたネッシーの写真（「外科医の写真」）を掲載。のちの1994年に、これがトリック写真であったと撮影者が白状する。
• 1951年 - 日本で民間放送16社に予備免許。（民放の日の由来）
• 1952年 - 日本で公職追放令廃止。最後まで追放解除にならなかった5,700人の公職追放が解除。
• 1952年 - 日本民間放送連盟（民放連）発足。
• 1954年 - 造船疑獄で犬養健法務大臣が指揮権を発動、佐藤栄作自由党幹事長の逮捕を含めた強制捜査に対し逮捕中止と任意捜査への切り替えを検事総長に指示。
• 1960年 - ブラジルの首都がブラジリアに遷都。
• 1962年 - シアトル万国博覧会が開幕。10月21日まで。
• 1964年 - ニューヨーク万国博覧会が開幕。1965年10月17日まで。
• 1966年 - エチオピア皇帝ハイレ・セラシエ1世がジャマイカを訪問。（ラスタファリ運動の記念日グラウネーション・デー（英語版））
• 1967年 - ギリシャで陸軍によるクーデター。ギリシャ軍事政権が発足。
• 1977年 - ミュージカル『アニー』がブロードウェイで初演。2,377回のロングラン公演となる。
• 1989年 - 任天堂が携帯型ゲーム機「ゲームボーイ」を発売。
• 1990年 - ステルス攻撃機F-117ナイトホークが一般公開。
• 2003年 - 山口県徳山市・新南陽市ほか2町が合併して周南市に。
• 2006年 - 静岡県で伊豆半島東方沖地震発生。
• 2011年 - PlayStation Networkにて世界規模の接続障害が発生。PSN個人情報流出事件の発端となる。
• 2018年 - 田島ナビ（1900年生まれ）が死去し、確実な証拠のある19世紀生まれの人間は全員この世を去った^[1]。

• 753 BC – Romulus founds Rome (traditional date).
• 43 BC – Battle of Mutina: Mark Antony is again defeated in battle by Aulus Hirtius, who is killed. Antony fails to capture Mutina and Decimus Brutus is murdered shortly after.
• 900 – The Laguna Copperplate Inscription (the earliest known written document found in what is now the Philippines): the Commander-in-Chief of the Kingdom of Tondo, as represented by the Honourable Jayadewa, Lord Minister of Pailah, pardons from all debt the Honourable Namwaran and his relations.
• 1092 – The Diocese of Pisa is elevated to the rank of metropolitan archdiocese by Pope Urban II
• 1282 – Welsh siege of Rhuddlan Castle lifted by English force led by future, Amadeus V, Count of Savoy.
• 1506 – The three-day Lisbon Massacre comes to an end with the slaughter of over 1,900 suspected Jews by Portuguese Catholics.
• 1509 – Henry VIII ascends the throne of England on the death of his father, Henry VII.
• 1526 – The last ruler of the Lodi dynasty, Ibrahim Lodi is defeated and killed by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat.
• 1615 – The Wignacourt Aqueduct is inaugurated in Malta.
• 1782 – The city of Rattanakosin, now known internationally as Bangkok, is founded on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke.
• 1792 – Tiradentes, a revolutionary leading a movement for Brazil's independence, is hanged, drawn and quartered.
• 1802 – Twelve thousand Wahhabis under Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad, invaded city of Karbala, killed over three thousand inhabitants, and sacked the city.
• 1806 – Action of 21 April 1806: A French frigate escapes British forces off the coast of South Africa.
• 1809 – Two Austrian army corps are driven from Landshut by a First French Empire army led by Napoleon as two French corps to the north hold off the main Austrian army on the first day of the Battle of Eckmühl.
• 1821 – Benderli Ali Pasha arrives in Constantinople as the new Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire; he remains in power for only nine days before being sent into exile.
• 1836 – Texas Revolution: The Battle of San Jacinto: Republic of Texas forces under Sam Houston defeat troops under Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna.
• 1856 – Australian labour movement: Stonemasons and building workers on building sites around Melbourne march from the University of Melbourne to Parliament House to achieve an eight-hour day.
• 1894 – Norway formally adopts the Krag–Jørgensen bolt-action rifle as the main arm of its armed forces, a weapon that would remain in service for almost 50 years.
• 1898 – Spanish–American War: The United States Navy begins a blockade of Cuban ports. When the U.S. Congress issued a declaration of war on April 25, it declared that a state of war had existed from this date.
• 1914 – Ypiranga incident: A German arms shipment to Mexico is intercepted by the U.S. Navy near Veracruz.
• 1918 – World War I: German fighter ace Manfred von Richthofen, better known as "The Red Baron", is shot down and killed over Vaux-sur-Somme in France.
• 1926 – Al-Baqi cemetery, former site of the mausoleum of four Shi'a Imams, is leveled to the ground by Wahhabis.
• 1934 – The "Surgeon's Photograph", the most famous photo allegedly showing the Loch Ness Monster, is published in the Daily Mail (in 1999, it is revealed to be a hoax).
• 1945 – World War II: Soviet forces south of Berlin at Zossen attack the German High Command headquarters.
• 1948 – United Nations Security Council Resolution 47 relating to Kashmir conflict is adopted.
• 1952 – Secretary's Day (now Administrative Professionals' Day) is first celebrated.
• 1960 – Brasília, Brazil's capital, is officially inaugurated. At 09:30, the Three Powers of the Republic are simultaneously transferred from the old capital, Rio de Janeiro.
• 1962 – The Seattle World's Fair (Century 21 Exposition) opens. It is the first World's Fair in the United States since World War II.
• 1963 – The first election of the Universal House of Justice is held, marking its establishment as the supreme governing institution of the Bahá'í Faith.
• 1964 – A Transit-5bn satellite fails to reach orbit after launch; as it re-enters the atmosphere, 2.1 pounds (0.95 kg) of radioactive plutonium in its SNAP RTG power source is widely dispersed.
• 1965 – The 1964–1965 New York World's Fair opens for its second and final season.
• 1966 – Rastafari movement: Haile Selassie of Ethiopia visits Jamaica, an event now celebrated as Grounation Day.
• 1967 – A few days before the general election in Greece, Colonel George Papadopoulos leads a coup d'état, establishing a military regime that lasts for seven years.
• 1975 – Vietnam War: President of South Vietnam Nguyễn Văn Thiệu flees Saigon, as Xuân Lộc, the last South Vietnamese outpost blocking a direct North Vietnamese assault on Saigon, falls.
• 1977 – Annie opens on Broadway.
• 1982 – Baseball: Rollie Fingers of the Milwaukee Brewers becomes the first pitcher to record 300 saves.
• 1985 – The compound of the militant group The Covenant, The Sword, and the Arm of the Lord surrenders to federal authorities in Arkansas after a two-day government siege.
• 1987 – The Tamil Tigers are blamed for a car bomb that detonates in the Sri Lankan capital city of Colombo, killing 106 people.
• 1989 – Tiananmen Square protests of 1989: In Beijing, around 100,000 students gather in Tiananmen Square to commemorate Chinese reform leader Hu Yaobang.
• 1993 – The Supreme Court in La Paz, Bolivia, sentences former dictator Luis García Meza to 30 years in jail without parole for murder, theft, fraud and violating the constitution.
• 2004 – Five suicide car bombers target police stations in and around Basra, killing 74 people and wounding 160.
• 2010 – The controversial Kharkiv Pact (Russian Ukrainian Naval Base for Gas Treaty) is signed in Kharkiv, Ukraine, by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev; it was unilaterally terminated by Russia on March 31, 2014.
• 2012 – Two trains are involved in a head-on collision near Sloterdijk, Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, injuring 116 people.
• 2012 – United Nations Security Council Resolution 2043 relating to Syrian uprising is adopted.
• 2014 – The American city of Flint, Michigan switches its water source to the Flint River, beginning the ongoing Flint water crisis which has caused lead poisoning in up to 12,000 people, and 15 deaths from Legionnaires disease, ultimately leading to criminal indictments against 15 people, five of whom have been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

                             (Back to TOP:jpn)        (Back to TOP:eng)