สวัสดีปีใหม่! ສະບາຍດີປີໃຫມ່! សួស្តីចូលឆ្នាំថ្មី! Nhit thit mhar pyaw schwin ba-say! Most of Mainland Southeast Asia is celebrating the New Year which started over the weekend. For many it is a time of spending time with family at home and revelry in the streets. Coupled with the Islamic holiday of Eid from the previous week, it sounds like the whole region is in some sort of celebration or another. Happy holidays to all! And stay safe if you are travelling.
This week is relatively light in news - I haven’t been able to keep track as much as usual as I have been doing my multi-city lecture tour for the Archaeological Institute of America - more on that in a later post. There was one interesting paper out of Australia reporting the discovery of 2,000-3,000-year-old pottery in northern Queensland, which upends the notion that the ancient indigenous peoples of Australia did not have a ceramic tradition. The Southeast Asian connection for this pottery comes by way of the Lapita culture - the pottery from Australia coincides with Lapita traditions in Papua New Guinea.
I will be taking a break from the newsletter next week - it has been logistically difficult to keep up with the news as I am literally changing time zones every day, so expect a bumper issue on April 29. Lastly, a special shoutout to Leonie Stevens and Francis Cresotti for becoming new supporters this week - remember if you’d like to support my work here, you can do it by buying me a coffee.
And now, on to the news:
Contents
The Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsletter and Website is supported in part by many generous readers, colleagues and friends. You can support by upgrading to a paid subscription, or by buying me a coffee.
Highlights of the Week
In no particular order, here are five of the most popular stories from this week:
12th-Century Sacred Road Uncovered at My Son Sanctuary
via Vietnam Plus, 09 April 2024: A 12th-century road has been discovered at the My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam, Vietnam, during an archaeological excavation. This road, measuring 9 meters in width and over 150 meters in length, is believed to have been a sacred path leading into the central area of the sanctuary, previously unknown to researchers. The excavation, a joint effort by the Institute of Archaeology and the sanctuary’s management board, uncovered pottery and terracotta artifacts alongside the road’s brick-lined walls, confirming its historical significance as part of the Champa architectural heritage.
via Asian Perspectives, 04 April 2024: Paper by Lertcharnrit et al. presents the site of Phromtin Tai in Central Thailand through the discovery of 57 stone beads, dating from the Late Bronze Age to early historic periods. The study of these beads, made from local materials like marble and nephrite, reveals diverse workshop traditions and sophisticated drilling techniques, indicating the presence of skilled artisans. This insight into bead production and consumption patterns at Phromtin Tai highlights the region’s economic growth and social complexity, with semi-precious beads serving as status symbols among the elite.
Musée Guimet: A Journey Through 5,000 Years of Asian Art
via Luxuo, 09 April 2024: Musée Guimet in Paris, located in the 16th arrondissement, houses an unparalleled collection of Asian art and artifacts, spanning 5,000 years and encompassing regions from India to Japan. Recognized for its vast array of cultural treasures, including Buddha statues, Samurai armor, and ancient textiles, the museum offers a deep dive into the diverse civilizations of Asia. Founded by explorer Émile Guimet, the museum’s collection has grown through contributions from various expeditions, including those to Cambodia and China, making it a central hub for Asian art appreciation in Europe. Recent renovations have enhanced the museum’s ability to showcase these treasures, providing a serene and enlightening experience for visitors.
via Quaternary Science Reviews, 09 April 2024: This is pretty big news – archaeologists have discovered Australia’s oldest Aboriginal pottery on Jiigurru (Lizard Island Group), Great Barrier Reef, challenging the notion that Aboriginal communities lacked ceramic traditions. Radiocarbon dating places the ceramics between 2950–2545 cal BP and 1970–1815 cal BP, coinciding with late Lapita and post-Lapita traditions of southern Papua New Guinea. This find, indicating local manufacture from three distinct clay sources, rewrites Australia’s history, demonstrating ancient maritime networks and sophisticated seafaring skills of First Nations communities in northeastern Australia.
Boljoon Panels Saga: Legal Opinions Leave Questions Unanswered
via SunStar, 08 April 2024: The controversy over the Boljoon church pulpit panels has drawn attention to the complexities of proving legal ownership and the act of fencing under Philippine law. While the Office of the Solicitor General emphasized the need for the Cebu Archdiocese to prove ownership and the unlawful taking of the panels, it did not directly address the legality of the donors’ ownership and their right to donate the panels to the National Museum of the Philippines. The situation has led to a broader discussion on the handling and preservation of cultural heritage, with the OSG’s opinion leaving many stakeholders, including Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, seeking further clarification.
Featured Books and Recommendations - Lapita
[Back to Contents]
Some of the links below are affiliate links which mean I may get a commission if you click on them and make a purchase.
Lapita Peoples by Patrick Vinton Kirch
Debating Lapita: Distribution, Chronology, Society and Subsistence by Stuart Bedford and Matthew Spriggs (eds.) Note: Also available free here.
New Perspectives in Southeast Asian and Pacific Prehistory by Philip J. Piper, Hirofumi Matsumura and David Bulbeck (eds.) Note: Also available free here.
Talepakemalai: Lapita and Its Transformations in the Mussau Islands of Near Oceania by Patrick Vinton Kirch (ed.)
Oceanic Explorations: Lapita and Western Pacific Settlement by Stuart Bedford, Christophe Sand and Sean P Connaughton (eds.) Note: Also available free here.
New Research
[Back to Contents]
If you have a newly-published paper that you wish to publicise, contact me and I’ll add it into the next newsletter.
via Quaternary Science Reviews, 09 April 2024: This is pretty big news – archaeologists have discovered Australia’s oldest Aboriginal pottery on Jiigurru (Lizard Island Group), Great Barrier Reef, challenging the notion that Aboriginal communities lacked ceramic traditions. Radiocarbon dating places the ceramics between 2950–2545 cal BP and 1970–1815 cal BP, coinciding with late Lapita and post-Lapita traditions of southern Papua New Guinea. This find, indicating local manufacture from three distinct clay sources, rewrites Australia’s history, demonstrating ancient maritime networks and sophisticated seafaring skills of First Nations communities in northeastern Australia.
via Asian Perspectives, 04 April 2024: Paper by Lertcharnrit et al. presents the site of Phromtin Tai in Central Thailand through the discovery of 57 stone beads, dating from the Late Bronze Age to early historic periods. The study of these beads, made from local materials like marble and nephrite, reveals diverse workshop traditions and sophisticated drilling techniques, indicating the presence of skilled artisans. This insight into bead production and consumption patterns at Phromtin Tai highlights the region’s economic growth and social complexity, with semi-precious beads serving as status symbols among the elite.
Announcements
[Back to Contents]
If you have any announcements related to Southeast Asian Archaeology that you wish to publicise, contact me and I’ll add it into the next newsletter.
Respondents needed: Leslie Zacharie from the Metropolitan Museum's Paper Conservation Division is seeking participants for a survey on materials used in conservation and housing across Asia. Please consider responding and sharing with colleagues in heritage preservation, collections care, and more. The insights gathered will be valuable to a broad range of professionals involved in arts, history, and culture.
Upcoming Events
[Back to Contents]
Contact me if you have an event, public lecture or job posting that you want to publicise.
17 April 2024: Re-thinking coloniality of knowledge, intellectual imperialism, and academic dependency: Steps towards decolonizing knowledge (Manila, Philippines and online)
22-26 April 2024: Training Workshop on Heritage Impact Assessment in Southeast Asian Context: Principles, Methodology and Mitigation Measures (Melaka, Malaysia)
22 April - June 17 2024: Old Cities, New Challenges Course (Online)
1 June 2024: Conference on Jataka Tradition of Thailand (Bangkok, Thailand)
10-14 June 2024: SPAFACON2024 (Bangkok, Thailand)
23-26 September 2024: International Forum on the Spice Route (Jakarta, Indonesia)
Southeast Asia
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Southeast Asia]
Musée Guimet: A Journey Through 5,000 Years of Asian Art
via Luxuo, 09 April 2024: Musée Guimet in Paris, located in the 16th arrondissement, houses an unparalleled collection of Asian art and artifacts, spanning 5,000 years and encompassing regions from India to Japan. Recognized for its vast array of cultural treasures, including Buddha statues, Samurai armor, and ancient textiles, the museum offers a deep dive into the diverse civilizations of Asia. Founded by explorer Émile Guimet, the museum’s collection has grown through contributions from various expeditions, including those to Cambodia and China, making it a central hub for Asian art appreciation in Europe. Recent renovations have enhanced the museum’s ability to showcase these treasures, providing a serene and enlightening experience for visitors.
Cambodia
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Cambodia]
Musée Guimet: A Journey Through 5,000 Years of Asian Art
via Luxuo, 09 April 2024: Musée Guimet in Paris, located in the 16th arrondissement, houses an unparalleled collection of Asian art and artifacts, spanning 5,000 years and encompassing regions from India to Japan. Recognized for its vast array of cultural treasures, including Buddha statues, Samurai armor, and ancient textiles, the museum offers a deep dive into the diverse civilizations of Asia. Founded by explorer Émile Guimet, the museum’s collection has grown through contributions from various expeditions, including those to Cambodia and China, making it a central hub for Asian art appreciation in Europe. Recent renovations have enhanced the museum’s ability to showcase these treasures, providing a serene and enlightening experience for visitors.
Setting the Record Straight on Angkor’s Rehousing Controversy
via Khmer Times, 06 April 2024: A rebuttal against Amnesty International’s report accuses the organization of misleading the public about the rehousing of squatters in the Angkor Archaeological Park. The response clarifies that the relocations were part of a long-term zoning plan to protect the heritage site and involved offering new land, monetary support, and materials to the affected individuals. Contrary to claims of “mass forced evictions,” the process was described as a necessary measure for conservation, supported by extensive information campaigns and legal frameworks established over decades.
Myanmar
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Myanmar]
Bagan’s Tourist Count Soars in 2023
via Eleven Myanmar, 08 April 2024: Bagan experienced a remarkable tourism boom in 2023, with visitor numbers more than doubling compared to the previous year, according to the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism (Bagan Branch). The surge included both domestic and international tourists, drawn not only to the historic pagodas but also to new tour initiatives showcasing the area’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and unique wildlife.
Philippines
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of the Philippines]
Boljoon Panels Saga: Legal Opinions Leave Questions Unanswered
via SunStar, 08 April 2024: The controversy over the Boljoon church pulpit panels has drawn attention to the complexities of proving legal ownership and the act of fencing under Philippine law. While the Office of the Solicitor General emphasized the need for the Cebu Archdiocese to prove ownership and the unlawful taking of the panels, it did not directly address the legality of the donors’ ownership and their right to donate the panels to the National Museum of the Philippines. The situation has led to a broader discussion on the handling and preservation of cultural heritage, with the OSG’s opinion leaving many stakeholders, including Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, seeking further clarification.
Cebu Seeks Legal Clarity on Heritage Church Pulpit Panels
via Rappler, 08 April 2024: The Cebu provincial government is reaching out to the Office of the Solicitor General for legal advice regarding the dispute over pulpit panels from Boljoon’s heritage church, currently held by the National Museum of the Philippines. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia argues that the panels are integral to Cebu’s cultural heritage and seeks their return, challenging the museum’s interpretation of the OSG’s legal opinion. This controversy has sparked discussions between the NMP, Cebu officials, and Archbishop Jose Palma, with implications for the ownership and treatment of cultural and religious artifacts.
Thailand
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Thailand]
via Asian Perspectives, 04 April 2024: Paper by Lertcharnrit et al. presents the site of Phromtin Tai in Central Thailand through the discovery of 57 stone beads, dating from the Late Bronze Age to early historic periods. The study of these beads, made from local materials like marble and nephrite, reveals diverse workshop traditions and sophisticated drilling techniques, indicating the presence of skilled artisans. This insight into bead production and consumption patterns at Phromtin Tai highlights the region’s economic growth and social complexity, with semi-precious beads serving as status symbols among the elite.
Vietnam
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Vietnam]
UNESCO Bid for Vietnam’s Con Moong Cave Gains Momentum
via Vietnam Plus, 09 April 2024: Efforts are underway to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for Con Moong Cave in Thanh Hoa, Vietnam, highlighted at a recent symposium. Experts discussed the cave’s significant cultural and natural values, drawing from extensive archaeological research showcasing human traces from the Paleolithic to Neolithic periods. The cave was first excavated in 1974 and designated a Special National Archaeological Site in 2015.
12th-Century Sacred Road Uncovered at My Son Sanctuary
via Vietnam Plus, 09 April 2024: A 12th-century road has been discovered at the My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam, Vietnam, during an archaeological excavation. This road, measuring 9 meters in width and over 150 meters in length, is believed to have been a sacred path leading into the central area of the sanctuary, previously unknown to researchers. The excavation, a joint effort by the Institute of Archaeology and the sanctuary’s management board, uncovered pottery and terracotta artifacts alongside the road’s brick-lined walls, confirming its historical significance as part of the Champa architectural heritage.
Peripheral Southeast Asia
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of ‘Peripheral’ Southeast Asia]
via Quaternary Science Reviews, 09 April 2024: This is pretty big news – archaeologists have discovered Australia’s oldest Aboriginal pottery on Jiigurru (Lizard Island Group), Great Barrier Reef, challenging the notion that Aboriginal communities lacked ceramic traditions. Radiocarbon dating places the ceramics between 2950–2545 cal BP and 1970–1815 cal BP, coinciding with late Lapita and post-Lapita traditions of southern Papua New Guinea. This find, indicating local manufacture from three distinct clay sources, rewrites Australia’s history, demonstrating ancient maritime networks and sophisticated seafaring skills of First Nations communities in northeastern Australia.
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