科廷大学的研究人员通过对1629年沉没的荷兰东印度公司商船Batavia的货物进行法医分析，发现了16-17世纪存在的复杂全球贸易体系。[1]研究团队对沉船中的砂岩石块进行了显微砂粒分析和化学指纹识别，确定这些石块来自德国的多个采石场，其中一些采石场的采矿历史可追溯至罗马时代。[1]该发现证明，荷兰东印度公司拥有出乎意料的精密供应链体系，其贸易网络范围超越了此前历史文献所记录的范围。[1]
Batavia沉船于1629年在西澳大利亚的Abrolhos Islands沉没，1963年被发现。[1]这项研究耗时超过一年，由西澳大利亚博物馆与德国地质测量局联合开展。[1]研究主导者Anthony Clarke博士表示："这真正开启了许多激动人心的问题"，为进一步探索近400年前的国际贸易关系开辟了新的研究方向。[1]
Researchers at Curtin University have uncovered evidence of a sophisticated international trade network dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries by analyzing sandstone blocks recovered from the Batavia, a merchant vessel that sank in 1629.[1] Through forensic examination including microscopic grain analysis and chemical fingerprinting, scientists determined that the stone cargo originated from multiple quarries across Germany, some of which had been in operation since Roman times.[1] The discovery demonstrates that the Dutch East India Company possessed an unexpectedly complex supply chain system centuries ago.
The Batavia sank near the Abrolhos Islands in Western Australia and was discovered in 1963.[1] The research effort, which took over a year to complete, involved collaboration between the Western Australian Museum and the German Geological Survey.[1] Dr. Anthony Clarke, who led the investigation, stated: "This really opens up so many exciting questions."[1] By mapping trade routes previously undocumented in written records, the study reveals the extent to which European merchants had established complex commercial networks during the 16th and 17th centuries.[1]