This is a fragment from an inscribed monolith known as the 'Singapore Stone'. It is the earliest writing found in Singapore, and was discovered at the mouth of Singapore River, near the present-day Fullerton Hotel. The sandstone was about 3m high and 3m wide, upon which a raised rim enclosed 50 lines of inscriptions on an area 1.5m high and 2.1m wide. In 1843, it was blown up during public works. Scholars have different views on the date and language of the script – ranging from 10th to 13th century and possibly Sumatran or old Javanese.
