Underwater and coastal surveys along the Strait of Malacca have identified the foundations of a massive 8th-century maritime signaling network belonging to the Srivijaya Empire. The discovery includes a series of stone-reinforced hilltop platforms equipped with highly polished bronze parabolic mirrors, which researchers believe were used to reflect sunlight and signal fires to guide trade fleets through the narrow shipping lanes.
This signal array represents the most advanced maritime navigation infrastructure found in Southeast Asia from this period. By controlling the 'visual highway' of the straits, the Srivijayan thalassocracy was able to regulate international trade between India and China with unprecedented efficiency, reinforcing their dominance over the spice and silk routes for centuries.