Guiding Star – Mon history scholars, cultural groups and politicians met to read monographs, study cultural heritage and discuss the ancient Suvarnabhumi Kingdom’s relevance in Mon history. This involved a workshop for excavating the historical site.
Over 100 people attended the Suvarnabhumi Research/Monograph Reading ceremony at Shwe Myint Mo Tun Hotel in Mon State capital of Moulmein from June 25-26. These included, U Than Swe, vice-minister of Ministry of Culture, Mon State ministers, Hluttaw (parliament) representatives and scholars from various universities. The two day event was facilitated by the Ministry of Culture, Historical Research Department and Ministry of National Museum and Library
“The reading manipulated that historical sites where Mons lived were Pyu residences and renamed the sites as in Mottama [town] became Mottama Pyu, while Moulmein became Moulmein Pyu. Because of that, we now have the desire to prove Suvarnabhumi belonged to Mons.”
The Pyu were a Tibeto/Burman ethnic group that formed city-states populating present-day Upper Burma and other areas of the country from the 2nd century BC to mid-11th century AD.
“I am not a historian. But I am interested in history. Now the site of ancient Suvarnabhumi has been found. I want to discuss about that as much as I know,” said Nai Pan Aung, one of the attendees.
Attendees were excited about suggestions to unearth the ancient kingdom.
This recent event was a follow up to the “Golden Suvarnabhumi” Monograph Reading Ceremony in October of 2012. During that time there were also presentations that provided evidence to support that Suvarnabhumi was part of the Thaton Kingdom in Mon State.
