The ship probably took on its cargo in a South Sea port, a destination for international maritime trading where the widest range of goods would have been available. Once loaded at the entrepot trade port, the ships set sail for the islands, dropping off goods at various ports along the coast, effectively operating a peddler trade as they went. A cargo generally consists of several different loads. The main cargo is the largest by volume; the secondary cargo may be smaller in volume but will generally be of higher value. The Cirebon excavation also uncovered everyday crockery from the ship’s galley and personal items belonging to the crew.
