Tents, Towers, and Temples
The Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsletter for 9 - 15 June 2025
Xin chào! This week in Southeast Asian archaeology, we’re spotlighting two temple tales—one unearthed with scaffolding, the other with a tent pole.
In central Vietnam, archaeologists at the My Son Sanctuary have uncovered a remarkably distinct two-storey Cham tower from the early 15th century. Known as Tower L, this structure appears to have been a ritual stopover for kings and Brahmins, featuring architectural traits unlike any previously documented Champa tower. What sets this discovery apart isn’t just its design—but the collaborative effort that brought it to light. Italian, Vietnamese, and Indian teams are working meticulously, employing scientific dismantling and mortar-free techniques to respect the site's historic integrity. My Son, once again, proves that it’s more than just a relic of the past—it’s an evolving narrative of intercultural preservation.
Meanwhile, in East Java, an unexpected brush with history came courtesy of a bamboo pole. In Malang, Rudi Harianto—village head and accidental archaeologist—discovered a tiered brick structure while preparing for a local event. Suspected to be a 10th-century Medang temple, this grassroots find could help locate Tamwlang, the elusive relocated capital under King Mpu Sindok. Yet, while the enthusiasm is palpable, there is still to be an official excavation conducted.
Together, these finds tell us something profound: whether unearthed by international teams or curious citizens, here are still ancient stories underneath our feet, waiting for the right moment (and sometimes, the right tent pole) to re-emerge.
And before we dig further—many thanks to a new supporter, Annabel Gallop, for the generous coffees this week. Support helps keep this newsletter caffeinated and curated!
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 buying me a coffee.
Highlights of the Week
In no particular order, here are five of the most popular stories from this week:
Intramuros App Launches: Manila’s Walled City Goes Digital
via The Manila Times, 15 June 2025: Manila’s Walled City just got a major upgrade with the launch of the Intramuros App, a web-based digital guide offering historic site details, walking tours, events, accredited guides, dining and transport info, plus an embedded social feed and calendar. Developed by IA, DOST–NCR, and CIIT, Phase 1 improves accessibility without requiring downloads. Phase 2 will add AR storytelling, permit and event booking, halal food location, and a smart booking system. The app also complements sustainable upgrades like an 18‑seat electric abaca fiber tram, halal food programs, and composting tech—melding tourism, tech, and heritage preservation.
See also: PIA, DoST, GMA, Intramuros AdministrationUH Manoa Displays Rare 1478 Ptolemy Map of Southeast Asia
via UH News, 13 June 2025: Hamilton Library at UH Mānoa has obtained one of the earliest printed maps of Southeast Asia—a 1478 copperplate map from the Rome edition of Ptolemy’s Cosmographia. Printed by Konrad Sweynheim and finished by Arnold Buckinck, the map is recognized as among the finest Ptolemaic works before Mercator. Funded by a National Resource Center grant via CSEAS, it’s now part of the MAGIS collection. High-resolution digitization ensures access to researchers while preserving the fragile original.Middle Pleistocene Elephant Skeleton Discovered in Java
via Jakarta Globe, 12 June 2025: Researchers have recovered an intact Elephas fossil—likely Elephas hysudrindicus—aged between 400,000–500,000 years, from Terban Village in Kudus Regency, Central Java. Led by CPAS and collaborating institutions, a careful rescue excavation is underway until 24 June to preserve the specimen for study and display at the Patiayam Prehistoric Site Museum. This discovery enriches a collection already noted for thousands of vertebrate fossils and has drawn in the local community keen on heritage tourism.
Malang Farmer Unearths Suspected 10th‑Century Temple Ruins
via The Jakarta Post, 13 June 2025: Rudi Harianto, a resident of Landungsari Village in Malang Regency, discovered a tiered brick structure—possibly an ancient Medang Kingdom temple—while erecting a tent. After uncovering bricks made of andesite, some marked with ancient Javanese script, the find was reported to the Indonesian Archaeology and Cultural Conservation Society (PPBI). The group has since performed preliminary excavations, but full investigation awaits permission from East Java’s Cultural Heritage Preservation Center. If confirmed, this discovery may deepen understanding of Medang-era presence in eastern Java.15th-Century Cham Tower Unearthed at My Son Complex
via VietnamPlus, 11 June 2025: Ongoing restoration and excavation at the My Son Temple Complex in Quang Nam, Vietnam, led by Italian and Vietnamese experts, has uncovered a unique two-storey Champa tower in Group L—dating to the early 15th century and likely used by kings and Brahmins before rituals. The architecture differs from other My Son structures, featuring distinctive foundations and wall compositions. Restoration work also continues on tower Groups E and F with Indian experts, using original Cham construction techniques. These findings deepen understanding of Champa ritual life and Southeast Asian interregional exchanges.
See also: Vietnam Plus
Featured Books and Recommendations
[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.
Majapahit: Intrigue, Betrayal and War in Indonesia’s Greatest Empire
by Herald van der Linde
by Tan Pham
Champa and the archaeology of My Son (Vietnam) by Andrew Hardy, Mauro Cucarzi and Patrizia Zolese (eds.)
by Thomas Suarez
Musee Du Quai Branly: Art From Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas
by Yves Le Fur
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.
[Paper] Interpreting archaeological mortuary jar traditions in the Philippines: Forms, lids, and regional connections in Island Southeast Asia
via Archaeological Research in Asia, 13 June 2025: This first-of-its-kind study by Matthews and Pineda integrates published and grey literature to categorize four distinct jar burial traditions in the Philippines, identified through jar shape, lid type, burial context, and associated artefacts. Using data from over 50 sites, including Neolithic and Metal Age assemblages, researchers suggest these traditions align with broader Southeast Asian mortuary systems—seen in Mindanao–Sulawesi, Batanes–Taiwan, and Borneo—indicating flexible, shared cultural practices rather than single-source diffusion.Genetic mixed diversity landscape in the paternal lineages of 11 populations inhabiting Southwest China according to the analysis of 25 Y-STRs
via BMC Ecology and Evolution, 09 June 2025: A Y-STR genetic study of 745 male individuals from 11 ethnic groups in Guizhou Province reveals a complex paternal genetic landscape shaped by language affiliation, geography, and deep-time migration. Using 25 Y-STR markers, researchers found close genetic affinities between Kra-Dai speakers in Guizhou and Southeast Asian populations, especially in Thailand and Guangxi, while Tibeto-Burman and Hui groups clustered with Central Asian and Himalayan populations. These patterns support long-standing archaeological theories of ancient population movement through the Tibetan-Yi corridor and gene flow across southern China and Southeast Asia. This study enriches population genetics data in an underrepresented region and provides new evidence for cultural and biological linkages across East and Southeast Asia.
Upcoming Events
[Back to Contents]
Contact me if you have an event, public lecture or job posting that you want to publicise.
19 Jun 2025: Bagan at Risk: Conflict, Culture and Conservation (Bangkok, Thailand)
22-28 June 2025: World Archaeological Congress (WAC-10) (Darwin, Australia)
27-28 June 2025: Southeast Asia Library Group Annual Meeting (Passau, Germany)
17-19 July 2025: Decolonization of Southeast Asian Studies Workshop (Chiang Mai, Thailand)
8-13 September 2025: The Fourth Conference of European Association for Asian Art and Archaeology (Lisbon, Portugal)
9-12 October 2025: 9th Symposium of the International Association for the Study of Silk Road Textiles (Berkeley CA, USA)
27 October - 6 November 2025: Asian Prehistory Today (UISPP) (Salatiga, Sangiran, Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
14-15 November 2025: Bengal Symposium: Archaeology, History, and Heritage Beyond Colonial Divides (Online)
2-11 February 2026: Angkor and the Rise of Southeast Asian Civilization (Cambodia)
26-31 October 2026: Asia Pacific Conference on Maritime & Underwater Cultural Heritage (Bali, Indonesia)
2026: The Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association Congress (Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
Social Shoutout
Malaysian Biospeleological Bibliography (up to 2024) - New Publication
Liz Price announces this 50-page volume which compiles over 1,100 annotated references on Malaysia’s cave fauna. It’s the only comprehensive bibliography on Malaysian biospeleology to date—an essential tool for biodiversity researchers and conservationists alike. Published in May 2025 by Berliner Höhlenkundliche Berichte (BHB),
To purchase, contact the author or visit the BHB website (Vol. 91, 2025).
I like to highlight other websites and social media accounts related to the archaeology of Southeast Asia. Contact me if you have or know of an account that deserves highlighting!
Southeast Asia
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Southeast Asia]
UH Manoa Displays Rare 1478 Ptolemy Map of Southeast Asia
via UH News, 13 June 2025: Hamilton Library at UH Mānoa has obtained one of the earliest printed maps of Southeast Asia—a 1478 copperplate map from the Rome edition of Ptolemy’s Cosmographia. Printed by Konrad Sweynheim and finished by Arnold Buckinck, the map is recognized as among the finest Ptolemaic works before Mercator. Funded by a National Resource Center grant via CSEAS, it’s now part of the MAGIS collection. High-resolution digitization ensures access to researchers while preserving the fragile original.
Cambodia
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Cambodia]
APSARA Restores Neang Chral Finials at Banteay Samré
via Khmer Times, 15 June 2025: APSARA’s conservation team, led by Long Nary, has launched a project at Banteay Samré Temple to collect and restore over 300 Neang Chral roof finials, many of which had fallen or deteriorated. Previous fixes using cement and small iron pins have failed; the new effort uses durable mortar and modern conservation methods to secure the pieces in their proper positions. Once completed, the restored finials will enhance the temple's visual grandeur and are expected to boost visitor appeal.
See also: Khmer Times22 Artefacts Donated to Angkor Museum by Japanese Guides
via Khmer Times, 15 June 2025: Representatives from the Japanese Tour Guide Association formally donated 22 artefacts—21 ceramic items and one metal piece—unearthed around 30 years ago in Tani Village, Siem Reap Province, to the Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum. The move ensures their technical preservation as national treasures and opens avenues for research. The museum, supported by APSARA and Japanese partners, continues its mission to collect, conserve, and display archaeological finds sourced both from excavations and public contributions.
See also: Khmer TimesWhy Wat Phra Kaew Houses a Mini Angkor Wat
via The Nation, 14 June 2025: A small, intricately crafted replica of Angkor Wat sits within Wat Phra Kaew at Bangkok’s Grand Palace—a legacy of King Rama IV’s 19th‑century ambition. Initially intending to transport the actual temple during Siam’s brief governance of parts of Cambodia, Rama IV instead commissioned a scaled-down model around 1867–1869 to assert Thai cultural prestige amid French colonial pressure. The replica, completed under Rama V, continues to symbolize historic Thai‑Cambodian ties and regional diplomacy.ICC Experts Inspect Key Angkor Sites Before June Summit
via Khmer Times, 13 June 2025: From 9–17 June, ad hoc experts from the ICC-Angkor/Sambor Prei Kuk are inspecting restoration progress at major Angkor sites—Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Ta Som, Ta Nei, Phimeanakas, and Banteay Samre—ensuring adherence to previous recommendations. Led by APSARA's Hang Peou, the team is engaging with site teams ahead of the 40th technical session scheduled for 19–20 June at Sofitel Angkor. These inspections, held biannually, guide the heritage safeguarding of Cambodia’s premier temple complexes.ANA Workshop Spotlights Angkor’s Traditional Handicrafts
via Khmer Times, 13 June 2025: The APSARA National Authority held a two-day workshop titled “How to Research Traditional Handicrafts in Angkor” at the Angkor Training Centre, aiming to equip its staff with skills to research and preserve intangible cultural heritage. Led by Oum Marady of ANA’s Research, Training and Communication Department, the event focused on documenting traditional Khmer crafts like mat weaving, wood carving, and lime making—underscoring their significance within the broader heritage of Angkor.Ta Moan Thom Temple Sees Rise in Cambodian Heritage Tourism
via Khmer Times, 09 June 2025: Ta Moan Thom Temple in Oddar Meanchey province is drawing increasing numbers of Cambodian tourists, showcasing a renewed interest in cultural heritage. Built in the Bayon style and located near the Thai border, the temple has impressed domestic visitors with its grandeur and historical significance. Testimonials from first-time visitors highlight the emotional connection to Khmer civilisation and the desire to see the site better promoted. The temple’s growing appeal suggests strong potential as a cultural tourism destination, especially with improved infrastructure and cross-border coordination.
Indonesia
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Indonesia]
Malang Farmer Unearths Suspected 10th‑Century Temple Ruins
via The Jakarta Post, 13 June 2025: Rudi Harianto, a resident of Landungsari Village in Malang Regency, discovered a tiered brick structure—possibly an ancient Medang Kingdom temple—while erecting a tent. After uncovering bricks made of andesite, some marked with ancient Javanese script, the find was reported to the Indonesian Archaeology and Cultural Conservation Society (PPBI). The group has since performed preliminary excavations, but full investigation awaits permission from East Java’s Cultural Heritage Preservation Center. If confirmed, this discovery may deepen understanding of Medang-era presence in eastern Java.Middle Pleistocene Elephant Skeleton Discovered in Java
via Jakarta Globe, 12 June 2025: Researchers have recovered an intact Elephas fossil—likely Elephas hysudrindicus—aged between 400,000–500,000 years, from Terban Village in Kudus Regency, Central Java. Led by CPAS and collaborating institutions, a careful rescue excavation is underway until 24 June to preserve the specimen for study and display at the Patiayam Prehistoric Site Museum. This discovery enriches a collection already noted for thousands of vertebrate fossils and has drawn in the local community keen on heritage tourism.
Magelang Seeks Eightfold Increase in Borobudur Visitor Limit
via The Jakarta Post, 11 June 2025: Magelang officials are advocating for an eightfold increase in the daily visitor limit at Borobudur Temple, currently capped at roughly 1,200 visitors, amid concerns from local businesses that the restriction hampers tourism recovery. The proposal highlights a broader dialogue between conserving this UNESCO World Heritage site—where over 2 million tourists visit annually—and supporting post-COVID tourism livelihoods. Critics argue that raising the quota could endanger the temple’s physical and cultural integrity.
Malaysia
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Malaysia]
41 Guar Kepah Skeletons to Return to Penang by Year-End
via The Vibes, 13 June 2025: Penang officials expect the repatriation of 41 prehistoric human skeletons from the Netherlands by December 2025. Excavated between 1851 and 1934 from the Guar Kepah site and stored at Leiden’s National Natuurhistorisch Museum, the skeletons will be housed in the new RM10 million Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery in Kepala Batas, whose construction is already complete. Penang’s Tourism Committee and federal ministries are coordinating the process, with the gallery set to open following arrival. The site will feature interactive exhibits spotlighting early human settlement and heritage.Explore George Town’s History Through Its Doorways
via The Star, 12 June 2025: George Town Heritage Celebrations 2025 will run from 5–7 July, themed “Doors and Doorways,” featuring 23 cultural workshops, 6 performances, 8 heritage open houses, and a heritage walk. Organized by GTWHI and 39 local partners, the event aims to deepen community storytelling and reframe heritage not as static preservation but as living memory. Around 18,000 visitors are expected, with hands-on experiences in traditional crafts, foodways, and languages encouraging reflection on Penang’s evolving cultural identity.George Town’s UNESCO Status Safe, Says Penang Official
via The Star, 11 June 2025: George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage status remains secure, according to Penang's tourism and creative economy chair Wong Hon Wai. Responding to concerns about gentrification, he affirmed that strong legal frameworks, strict development controls within the 109.38ha core zone, and the work of George Town World Heritage Incorporated have successfully safeguarded both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. He also encouraged Melaka, which shares the 2008 heritage listing with George Town, to uphold UNESCO preservation standards amid rising urban pressures.Penang’s ‘Second Jeddah’ Celebrated in Hajj Gallery
via Bernama, 08 June 2025: The Penang Hajj Gallery features a dedicated display on the historic Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh, marking it as the “Second Jeddah”—a spiritual staging point for Malay Muslims en route to Mecca. Through archival photos, personal stories, travel documents, and period Hajj attire, the exhibit illustrates Penang’s critical role in 19th-century pilgrimage pathways, celebrating a unique chapter of Southeast Asia’s Islamic heritage.
Myanmar
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Myanmar]
Myanmar Invites Contractors to Rekindle Ancient Cities
via Global New Light of Myanmar, 14 June 2025: The Bago Region government is seeking bids from Myanmar citizens to restore the moat and wall around Hanthawady's Inwa Gate and the northern defenses of Ketumati in Toungoo. Funded within the 2025–26 budget, the project invites applications from 16 to 19 June, with final submission due by 30 June. A local travel operator anticipates the restoration will boost tourism.Bagan Tourism Stays Strong Despite Monsoon Season
via Global New Light of Myanmar, 11 June 2025: Despite seasonal rains, Bagan continues to attract tourists thanks to its dry climate and heritage appeal, unlike beach destinations which saw a drop in pre-monsoon visitors. The Union of Myanmar Travel Association notes consistent interest in Bagan and Mandalay, especially from domestic travelers. Although the tourism industry has not returned to pre-COVID levels, Bagan remains viable for monsoon-season travel due to its unique landscape and lower rainfall.
Philippines
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of the Philippines]
Intramuros App Launches: Manila’s Walled City Goes Digital
via The Manila Times, 15 June 2025: Manila’s Walled City just got a major upgrade with the launch of the Intramuros App, a web-based digital guide offering historic site details, walking tours, events, accredited guides, dining and transport info, plus an embedded social feed and calendar. Developed by IA, DOST–NCR, and CIIT, Phase 1 improves accessibility without requiring downloads. Phase 2 will add AR storytelling, permit and event booking, halal food location, and a smart booking system. The app also complements sustainable upgrades like an 18‑seat electric abaca fiber tram, halal food programs, and composting tech—melding tourism, tech, and heritage preservation.
See also: PIA, DoST, GMA, Intramuros Administration[Paper] Interpreting archaeological mortuary jar traditions in the Philippines: Forms, lids, and regional connections in Island Southeast Asia
via Archaeological Research in Asia, 13 June 2025: This first-of-its-kind study by Matthews and Pineda integrates published and grey literature to categorize four distinct jar burial traditions in the Philippines, identified through jar shape, lid type, burial context, and associated artefacts. Using data from over 50 sites, including Neolithic and Metal Age assemblages, researchers suggest these traditions align with broader Southeast Asian mortuary systems—seen in Mindanao–Sulawesi, Batanes–Taiwan, and Borneo—indicating flexible, shared cultural practices rather than single-source diffusion.Sarrat Church Restoration to Begin in September
via CBCP News, 11 June 2025: The National Historical Commission of the Philippines will lead a ₱40 million restoration of the earthquake-damaged Santa Monica Parish Church (Sarrat Church) in Ilocos Norte, under a newly signed agreement with the Diocese of Laoag. Damaged by a series of earthquakes in 2024, the 200-year-old Filipino-Hispanic church had been closed for safety. Phase one begins in September with repairs to its truss and brick walls. Declared a plenary indulgence site in 2024, the church also holds major cultural and religious importance.
See also: Manila BulletinBaybayin and the Battle Against Colonial Amnesia
via The Manila Standard, 11 June 2025: Editorial by Chong Ardivilla argues that the growing revival of Baybayin, the indigenous Filipino syllabary once suppressed by Spanish colonial powers, is more than aesthetic nostalgia—it’s an assertion of cultural identity and resistance against colonial erasure. Though some criticize its lack of “utility,” advocates argue that Baybayin fosters cultural literacy, critical thinking, and a reimagined sense of Filipino identity. This cultural awakening challenges the notion that education must be economically driven and highlights that heritage, not just employability, is central to national self-understanding.
Thailand
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Thailand]
Why Wat Phra Kaew Houses a Mini Angkor Wat
via The Nation, 14 June 2025: A small, intricately crafted replica of Angkor Wat sits within Wat Phra Kaew at Bangkok’s Grand Palace—a legacy of King Rama IV’s 19th‑century ambition. Initially intending to transport the actual temple during Siam’s brief governance of parts of Cambodia, Rama IV instead commissioned a scaled-down model around 1867–1869 to assert Thai cultural prestige amid French colonial pressure. The replica, completed under Rama V, continues to symbolize historic Thai‑Cambodian ties and regional diplomacy.
Vietnam
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Vietnam]
15th-Century Cham Tower Unearthed at My Son Complex
via VietnamPlus, 11 June 2025: Ongoing restoration and excavation at the My Son Temple Complex in Quang Nam, Vietnam, led by Italian and Vietnamese experts, has uncovered a unique two-storey Champa tower in Group L—dating to the early 15th century and likely used by kings and Brahmins before rituals. The architecture differs from other My Son structures, featuring distinctive foundations and wall compositions. Restoration work also continues on tower Groups E and F with Indian experts, using original Cham construction techniques. These findings deepen understanding of Champa ritual life and Southeast Asian interregional exchanges.
See also: Vietnam PlusVietnam Orders Nationwide Audit of National Treasure Security
via SGGP, 11 June 2025: In response to the vandalism of the Nguyễn Dynasty throne at Hue’s Thai Hoa Palace, Deputy PM Mai Van Chinh has ordered the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism—working with other agencies—to conduct a comprehensive review of the display, preservation, protection, and security of all national treasures. With over 260 items catalogued nationwide, the ministry must report findings by 30 June, while restoration work and enhanced security measures are being fast-tracked.Vietnamese Culture Spotlighted in PM’s Paris Museum Visit
via Vietnam Plus, 11 June 2025: During his official trip to France, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Paris’s Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac Museum, where he spent considerable time viewing artefacts from Vietnam and exhibits illustrating the historical ties between the two nations. He praised the museum’s diverse and rich collection and emphasized culture as a key force in Vietnam’s sustainable development and bilateral relations. The museum, which highlights indigenous cultures from around the world, features Vietnam prominently among Southeast Asian collections.Hue Orders Swift, Authentic Repair of Broken Imperial Throne
via SGGP, 10 June 2025: Hue City has directed the Hue Monuments Conservation Center to urgently develop a restoration plan for the Nguyen Dynasty throne, damaged in a recent incident. The plan, due by 20 June, must align with national heritage laws and prioritize traditional Vietnamese techniques based on verified historical data. While modern analytical tools will guide material evaluation and conservation timelines, the emphasis remains on preserving authenticity. A full-scale replica is currently on display at Thai Hoa Palace as research and restoration preparation continue.Experts Call for Revival of Quang Duc Ceramic Heritage
via Vietnam.vn, 08 June 2025: A recent workshop in Phu Yen gathered heritage experts and archaeologists to reassess the cultural and historical value of Quang Duc ceramics—a once-thriving craft from the 18th to early 20th centuries now largely forgotten. Noted for its unique blood cockle glaze and diverse forms, Quang Duc pottery was widely traded and is found across Vietnam. Participants advocated for a comprehensive research and conservation program to reposition these ceramics not just as historical artefacts, but as a living legacy of Phu Yen’s creativity and economic history, with potential for revival in cultural tourism and heritage education.
See also: Báo Phú Yên
Peripheral Southeast Asia
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of ‘Peripheral’ Southeast Asia]
Hainan Museum Unveils Maritime Silk Road Treasures
via Xinhua, 14 June 2025: The China (Hainan) Museum of the South Sea in Qionghai has opened an exhibition on the Maritime Silk Road, featuring carved ivory chess sets and boxes, glazed bracelets, blue‑white porcelain, ship models and pottery. These artifacts highlight Hainan’s historical role as a strategic crossroads where Chinese, Southeast Asian, South Asian, and Arabian cultures mingled through centuries of maritime trade.
See also: XinhuaNational Museum of Prehistory, University of Guam Partner to Revive Ocean Wayfinding
via Ministry of Culture Taiwan, 12 June 2025: On June 10–11, the National Museum of Prehistory (Taiwan) and University of Guam co-hosted performances and lectures in Guam, culminating in an MoU for joint research, exhibitions, and online database development centered on Austronesian culture and navigation. NMP Director Tsai Cheng-liang emphasized Guam's pivotal role in Micronesian studies, while UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez stressed shared cultural bonds and academic exchanges.Genetic mixed diversity landscape in the paternal lineages of 11 populations inhabiting Southwest China according to the analysis of 25 Y-STRs
via BMC Ecology and Evolution, 09 June 2025: A Y-STR genetic study of 745 male individuals from 11 ethnic groups in Guizhou Province reveals a complex paternal genetic landscape shaped by language affiliation, geography, and deep-time migration. Using 25 Y-STR markers, researchers found close genetic affinities between Kra-Dai speakers in Guizhou and Southeast Asian populations, especially in Thailand and Guangxi, while Tibeto-Burman and Hui groups clustered with Central Asian and Himalayan populations. These patterns support long-standing archaeological theories of ancient population movement through the Tibetan-Yi corridor and gene flow across southern China and Southeast Asia. This study enriches population genetics data in an underrepresented region and provides new evidence for cultural and biological linkages across East and Southeast Asia.
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