Historical Chronology
Timeline
Key events in the history of Óc Eo and the Kingdom of Funan
Chronology of Óc Eo - Ba The development phases - Nguyen (2023)
Understanding the Context
Funan emerged within the context of millennia-old Austronesian maritime traditions. By the time Chinese envoys arrived in the 3rd century CE, Óc Eo was already a cosmopolitan port connected to trade networks spanning from Rome to China.
The timeline below traces Funan's documented history from classical sources through modern archaeological discoveries.
Periplus Maris Erythraei Composed
Anonymous Greek merchant documents eastern trade routes including "Chryse" (Golden Land)
Ptolemy's Geography
Greek geographer records Kattigara at 177° longitude on the Magnus Sinus
Roman Embassy to China
Envoys claiming to represent Marcus Aurelius arrive at Chinese court via Rinan (central Vietnam)
First Funanese Embassies to Wu
Initial diplomatic contact between Funan and the Chinese Wu kingdom
Wu Embassy to Funan
Wu kingdom sends diplomatic mission to Funan
Embassy with Musicians
King Fan Tchan sends embassy with musicians and trade goods to Wu court
Kang Tai & Zhu Ying Visit
Wu diplomats visit Funan and document customs, geography, and trade
Multiple Embassies to Jin
Series of Funanese embassies to the Jin dynasty court
Jayavarman's Embassy
King Jayavarman sends embassy with Buddhist monk Nagasena to Southern Qi
K5 Inscription
Sanskrit inscription at Go Thap mentions Prince Gunavarman and hydraulic engineering
Liang Dynasty Embassies
Frequent embassies to Liang court document late Funan period
Excavation Begins
French archaeologists discover site via aerial photography; excavation begins Feb 10
Malleret's Excavations
Louis Malleret conducts first systematic excavations at Ba The mountain foot
Malleret Publication
Publication of four-volume L'archéologie du delta du Mékong
Special National Monument
Óc Eo - Ba The designated Special National Monument by Vietnam
Museum Opens
Óc Eo Culture Museum completed in Óc Eo town
UNESCO Nomination
Added to UNESCO World Heritage tentative list
Spice Processing Discovery
Stone slab found representing earliest spice processing in Southeast Asia