In the ancient world, ships played a vital role as vehicles for the exchange of ideas, technology, and material culture. But navigating the seas was a dangerous affair, and many vessels sank as a result of adverse weather, piracy, armed conflict, and navigational errors. This book tells the story of maritime trade in Southeast Asia through finds from nine ships that sank in or around the region between the 9th and 18th centuries, now on prominent display at the Asian Civilisations Museum. (Archaeology & History)