Laguna Copperplate Inscription facts for kids
The Laguna Copperplate Inscription is a very old document. It is written on a thin copper plate. People found it in 1989 in Laguna, Philippines. This plate is like a window to the past. It tells us about life in the Philippines around 900 AD. This was a long time ago, even before Europeans arrived.
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What is the Laguna Copperplate Inscription?
The Laguna Copperplate Inscription, or LCI, is a special piece of history. It is a flat piece of copper with words carved into it. These words are written in two old languages. They are Old Malay and Old Kawi. Kawi was a language used in ancient Java and Bali.
Where was this ancient plate found?
This amazing copper plate was found by accident. A worker was digging for sand near the Lumban River in Laguna, Philippines. This happened in 1989. The plate was dark and looked like a piece of metal. But it turned out to be a very important discovery.
What does the Laguna Copperplate say?
The words on the copper plate tell a story about a debt. It talks about a person named Namwaran. His children and relatives were freed from a debt. This debt was owed to the Chief of Tondo. The inscription also mentions other important leaders and places. These include Palembang and Medang.
Who translated this ancient text?
For many years, no one could fully understand the writing. Then, in 1992, a Dutch expert named Antoon Postma translated it. He was a scholar of ancient Philippine scripts. His work helped us learn what the inscription truly meant. It opened up a new understanding of early Philippine history.
Why is the Laguna Copperplate so important?
The Laguna Copperplate Inscription is incredibly important for many reasons.
- Oldest Written Document: It is the oldest known written document found in the Philippines. Before this, much of what we knew about early Philippine history came from foreign records.
- Evidence of Kingdoms: It proves that advanced kingdoms existed in the Philippines long ago. It mentions places like Tondo, which was a powerful kingdom. It also links the Philippines to other strong empires in Southeast Asia, like Sriwijaya.
- Proof of Trade and Culture: The plate shows that people in the Philippines had strong connections with other parts of Asia. They traded goods and shared cultures. It also shows that they had a writing system and laws.
- Understanding Daily Life: It gives us a glimpse into the daily lives of people. It talks about debts, family, and leaders. This helps us imagine what life was like over a thousand years ago.
The Laguna Copperplate Inscription changed how we see the history of the Philippines. It showed that the islands had rich and complex societies long before the Spanish arrived.
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