In 1990, <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/2986/antoon-postma-the-dutch-anthropologist-who-bridged-cultures-was-born-on-march-28-1929" class="news_link">Antoon Postma</a>, a Dutch expert in ancient Philippine scripts and Mangyan writing, and a long-time resident of the Philippines, translated the document that came to be known as the Laguna Copperplate Inscription (LCI). When he saw that the writing looked similar to the ancient Indonesian script called Kavi <a href="#n1" class="news_link">(1)</a>, and that the document bore a date from the ancient Sanskrit calendar, he enlisted the help of fellow Dutchman, Dr. Johann de Casparis, whose area of expertise was ancient Indonesia. 


Casparis confirmed that the script and the words used in the Laguna document were exactly the same as those that were used on the island Java at the time stated in the document, which was the year 822, in the old Hindu calendar or the year 900 C.E. (Common Era) on our calendar. 

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<h4>The LCI in English</h4>


Long Live! Year of Siyaka <a href="#n2" class="news_link">(2)</a> 822, month of Waisaka <a href="#n3" class="news_link">(3)</a>, according to astronomy. The fourth day of the waning moon, Monday. On this occasion, Lady Angkatan, and her brother whose name is Buka, the children of the Honourable Namwaran, were awarded a document of complete pardon from the Commander in Chief of Tundun <a href="#n4" class="news_link">(4)</a>, represented by the Lord Minister of Pailah, Jayadewa.


By this order, through the scribe, the Honourable Namwaran has been forgiven of all and is released from his debts and arrears of 1 katî <a href="#n5" class="news_link">(5)</a> and 8 suwarna <a href="#n6" class="news_link">(6)</a> before the Honourable Lord Minister of Puliran, Ka Sumuran by the authority of the Lord Minister of Pailah.


Because of his faithful service as a subject of the Chief, the Honourable and widely renowned Lord Minister of Binwangan recognized all the living relatives of Namwaran who were claimed by the Chief of Dewata, represented by the Chief of Medang <a href="#n7" class="news_link">(7)</a>.


Yes, therefore the living descendants of the Honourable Namwaran are forgiven, indeed, of any and all debts of the Honourable Namwaran to the Chief of Dewata.


This, in any case, shall declare to whomever henceforth that on some future day should there be a man who claims that no release from the debt of the Honourable ... 

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