An ancient Egyptian-style boat The Maldive Mystery , Thor Heyerdahl, the famous Norwegian explorer known for his 1947 Kon-Tiki raft trip across the Pacific, decided to explore the Indian Ocean in the early '80s. In 1982, the Maldivian government invited him to lead an archaeological expedition to the Maldives, which he did from 1983 to 1984. His team, including people like archaeologist Arne Skjølsvold and geologist Øystein Koch Johansen, focused on digging up ancient mound

In 1343, the renowned Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta arrived in the Maldives, a vast Islamic sultanate extending over 1,800 kilometers, encompassing the area of Minicoy (Maliku) and the (Foalhavahi) Chagos Archipelago. His journey, recorded in his travelogue The Rihla, provides a vivid depiction of a flourishing maritime society central to the Indian Ocean trade network. During this period, the Maldives served as a crucial hub for exporting Ambergris, "floating gold," C

Illustration of the ancient Cowry Shell & Ambergris Incense trade route, featuring a map with landmarks, ships on major waters, a navigation compass, a traditional Maldivian boat, and scattered cowry shells. The ancient Egyptians, renowned for their advanced cultural and religious practices, integrated exotic materials like ambergris and cowrie shells into their society, reflecting their deep engagement with long-distance trade networks and their sophisticated understanding o

Ancient Maldivian Samboak Dhoani sailing majestically at sunset, capturing the vibrant colors and serene beauty of the sea. Maldivian shipbuilding, known as Kissaru Wadaan , is a centuries-old tradition that reflects the Maldives’ profound reliance on the sea for survival, shaping its economy, culture, and identity. This craft, centered on constructing vessels like the iconic Dhoni, has been pivotal in supporting fishing, inter-island transportation, and trade within the Indi

Ahmad Ibn Majid, the renowned Arab navigator, is depicted guiding Vasco da Gama's fleet across the Indian Ocean, a pivotal moment in the historic maritime route between Malindi and Calicut. The Maldives, despite its small land area of about 298 km², is indeed a Large ocean state with a maritime territory spanning roughly 923,322 km². Its 1,192 coral islands, grouped into 26 atolls, stretch across the Indian Ocean, historically extending influence to the Chagos Archipelago (F

Slavers may have targeted G.Dh Gan due to: Geographical Location  (proximity to trade routes), Economic Opportunities   The Maldives, a...

A depiction of the Tragic Hajj of 1799, featuring Sultan Al Hajj Hassan Nooraddeenul Iskandhar I facing maritime perils and desert...

Brown Noddy " Maaranga" Photo Credit: Shutterstock The fisheries industry in the Maldives, a vital part of its economy and cultural...

A large flock of frigatebirds, rests in the branches of a lush green tree against a vibrant blue sky. The birds are densely clustered throughout the Lhos tree's canopy. GA. Hithaidhoo Island . In the crystalline waters of the Maldives, where the ocean meets the sky in a seamless embrace, a remarkable partnership has flourished for generations between indigenous fishermen and frigatebirds. This symbiotic relationship, rooted in the intricate balance of nature and human ing

Nazim,s painting,  Tern Valla Ainmathee Dhooni In the vast, sun-dappled waters of the Maldives, where the horizon stretches endlessly and...

Globe illustrates ancient trade routes, adorned with sailing ships, a compass, a Maldivian Dhowni and a spilled jar of cowrie shells,...

Kalinga (present-day Odisha),  State Maritime Museum / Photo Credi Chinmayee's Creations The maritime trade networks of the ancient...

Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir formally signs the independence agreement with British officials at Westminster House, Colombo, Ceylon,...

An ancient Roman bireme sails across a vibrant, stylized nautical chart, reflecting the spirit of historical exploration and seafaring. Above, Roman denarii from 90 BCE, discovered on Thoddu Island, evoke a connection to the past. The ancient port city of Berenike, located on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, was a cornerstone of Roman trade during the first six centuries of the Roman Empire (1st century BC to 6th century AD). As a vital hub, it facilitated the exchange of goods between

Landhoo Island in Noonu Atoll The discovery of a coral stone inscribed with late Brahmi script in the Pallava style, dated to AD 6, on...

"Male' Bamboo", Iron Bamboo" The Maldives, a tropical archipelago in the Indian Ocean, was once dotted with bamboo trees across its...

Traditional Maldivian cargo boat "bhatheli" The Maldives, a string of coral atolls cradled by the Indian Ocean, has been a pivotal node...

This art form is particularly associated with the island of Thulhaadhoo in Baa Atoll Lacquerwork, the intricate art of applying lacquer...

A historic 1950 gathering on Hulhule Island featuring Amin Didi and John Kotelawala, Minister of Transport and Works for Ceylon , engaged with a delegation amidst a tropical backdrop. Hulhulé Island, now home to Velana International Airport in the North Malé Atoll, has a rich history as a sparsely populated center for trade, agriculture, and fishing, with connections to the Giraavaru , southern Maldivians, Moors, and other settlers. It functioned as an administrative hub fo

A man with a beard Dhonbandaara and overlooking a naval battle depicted Malabaari ship, French Maldives soldiers ( Sepoys) manning...