Ancient Maritime Silk Road
Óc Eo
Gateway to Funan
Explore the ancient port city through Chinese dynastic records, Ptolemy's Geography, and Sanskrit inscriptions. Where Roman medallions met Chinese silk on the Mekong Delta.
1st - 7th Century CE
Where East Met West
Óc Eo was the principal port of the Funan Kingdom, a powerful maritime polity that controlled trade between China, India, and the Roman Empire. Archaeological excavations have revealed Roman medallions, Chinese mirrors, Indian statuary, and Persian glass beads—evidence of a truly cosmopolitan ancient city.
This site presents translations of primary sources in Chinese, Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit, alongside archaeological findings from Louis Malleret's pioneering excavations.
View TimelineKang Tai & Zhu Ying Visit
Wu kingdom diplomats document Funan's customs and geography
Ptolemy's Kattigara
Greek geographer records "Kattigara" on the Magnus Sinus
Malleret Excavations
French archaeologist unearths Roman coins and Indian artifacts
"From the account of the voyage of Alexander referred to by Ptolemy, Kattigara can actually be located only in the Mekong delta."— Albrecht Dihle, Cambridge Philological Society, 1964
Primary Source Traditions
Three distinct literary traditions documenting Funan
Chinese Dynastic Records
Liang Shu, Jin Shu, San Guo Zhi—detailed accounts of Funan's geography, customs, and diplomatic missions
Read translations →Greco-Roman Geography
Ptolemy's Geography and the Periplus Maris Erythraei describe Kattigara and eastern trade routes
Read translations →Sanskrit Inscriptions
K5 from Go Thap and Vo Canh inscription reveal Indian religious and political influence
Read translations →
Archaeological Evidence
A Cosmopolitan City
Louis Malleret's excavations revealed an astounding diversity of artifacts: Roman golden medallions of Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius, Chinese bronze mirrors, Indian Brahmanical statuary, and Persian glass beads.
Did You Know?
Fascinating facts about Óc Eo and Funan
Roman gold medallions of Marcus Aurelius (161-180 CE) were found at Óc Eo—7,000 km from Rome.
An approximately 70-90 km canal connected Óc Eo to Angkor Borei, enabling goods to bypass monsoon-dependent sea routes.
Funanese ships were over 80 feet long and capable of ocean voyages to India, according to the Liang Shu.
The K5 inscription describes land "wrested from the mud"—hydraulic engineering to reclaim wetlands.
Chinese envoys noted Funanese wore sarongs and gold rings, collected taxes, and had written archives.
In 2023, archaeologists found the oldest spice processing evidence in Southeast Asia at Óc Eo.
Related Kingdoms
Funan in its regional context
Chenla
6th-8th century CE
Funan's successor state. Originally a vassal, Chenla conquered Funan and eventually became the Khmer Empire with its capital at Angkor.
Champa
2nd-17th century CE
Funan's neighbor to the east, along the coast of central Vietnam. Also Indianized, with Hindu-Buddhist temples and Sanskrit inscriptions. Sometimes at war with Funan.
Dvaravati
6th-11th century CE
Mon kingdom in the Chao Phraya basin (Thailand). Contemporary with late Funan, shared Buddhist artistic traditions.
Discover the Ancient Maritime Silk Road
Dive into primary sources, archaeological findings, and scholarly research on one of Southeast Asia's most important ancient ports.