CNA Insider – 27- 1-2026
Linked to ancient seafarers from Taiwan, the Champa were expert sailors and vital players in global trade. On land, they were skilled builders and innovative agriculturalists who also made their mark on the modern world. Curator and scholar Peter Lee embarks on a quest to uncover the story of the Champa Kingdom and its glory years.
From visiting the ancient, hallowed grounds of My Son Sanctuary where grand temples showcase the king’s authority, to learning about modern Cham identity with a local rap artist, Peter traces the great heights that the kingdom reached before its eventual decline. But in recent years, a new generation of Cham people are striving for pride and recognition of their ancient heritage.
WATCH MORE The Mark of Empire: • The Mark of Empire
00:00 Introduction
03:06 Inside Hoi An’s Marble Mountains
06:26 Fishing on traditional basket boats
09:36 Uncovering Loi Citadel excavation site
12:29 Crucial finds from Chau Tan shipwreck
16:15 Why is Agarwood so valuable?
18:54 Meeting the Jarai people
25:57 Restoring ruins of My Son Sanctuary
35:33 Exploring the Duong Long towers
40:02 Passing down Cham script
42:26 Modern ways of preserving Cham history
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BOUT The Mark of Empire: Kingdoms of the Sea:
What are the secrets and mysteries behind Asia’s ancient empires? In the third season of this award-winning series, curator and scholar Peter Lee is back on a journey to trace clues and uncover new theories behind the Srivijaya empire, the Champa kingdom, the Sultanate of Sulu, and the Anuradhapura kingdom. What were the epic battles, political alliances and cultural exchanges forged by the four powers in the region?
From investigating the iconic reliefs of Borobudur temple in Indonesia, to diving for sea cucumbers in the Philippines’ Sulu Archipelago, to practicing the ancient martial art of Angampora in Sri Lanka, and learning about modern Cham rap music in Vietnam, Peter traces the rise and fall of these formidable kingdoms, and the cultural legacies that they have left on the region until today.
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