Copyright © 2020 Indonesian Journal of Islamic History and Culture | 21
Indonesian Journal of Islamic History and Culture
Vol. 1, No. 1 (2020), 21-31
P-ISSN: 2722-8940; E-ISSN: 2722-8934
Fansur Sebagai Kota Tua Islam
E. Edwards McKinnon
Peneliti Independen
Email: uluneezen@gmail.com
Nurdin AR
Fakultas Adab dan Humaniora, Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh
Email: nurdin.ar@ar-raniry.ac.id
Abstract
Fansur is an ancient Islamic city in Nusantara (the Indonesian archipelago) which was very
popular in the past. However, the specific location of the city is still being debated today.
Generally, contemporary writers state that Fansur is located in Barus, one of the areas in Central
Tapanuli, North Sumatra. This opinion has been challenged from several authoritative sources.
To solve the above problems, this research was conducted through an archaeological approach
and literature study. Based on archaeological evidence and written sources, Fansur City is
located in Lhok Pancu or Lhok Lambaroneujid, one of the coastal areas to the west of the city of
Banda Aceh, Aceh. This location fits perfectly with the character of the Fansur location
mentioned in ancient records from the Middle East, China and Europe. Due to geological changes
that have occurred frequently in the past in the Aceh region, most of the area has been lost and
cannot be seen again. The remains of ancient ceramics, tombstones and ancient tomb complex
(diway) are archaeological evidence to strengthen the argument that Fansur is an ancient
Islamic port city located in the Aceh Besar region, not in Barus, Central Tapanuli.
Keywords: Fansur; Lhok Pancu; Lhok Lambaroneujid site
Abstrak
Fansur adalah sebuah kota Islam kuno di Nusantara yang sangat populer pada masa
lampau. Namun, letak spesifiknya masih menjadi perdebatan hingga saat ini. Umumnya,
penulis kontemporer menyebut bahwa Fansur terletak di Barus, salah satu kawasan di
Tapanuli Tengah, Sumatera Utara. Pendapat tersebut mendapat tantangan dari
beberapa sumber yang otoritatif. Untuk menyelesaikan permasalahan di atas maka
penelitian ini dilakukan melalui pendekatan arkeologis dan studi literatur. Berdasarkan
bukti arkeologis dan sumber tertulis diketahui bahwa Fansur terletak di Lhok Pancu
atau Lhok Lambaroneujid, salah satu kawasan pesisir di sebelah barat kota Banda Aceh,
Aceh. Lokasi ini sangat sesuai dengan karakter lokasi Fansur yang disebutkan dalam
catatan-catatan kuno dari Timur Tengah, China dan Eropa. Karena perubahan geologis