Cathedrals, Ceramics and Command Seals
The Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsletter for 30 June - 06 July 2025
Good Morning! Today (July 7) is George Town World Heritage Day and Penang lights candles, one landmark stands out: St George’s Church, the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia. Built in 1818 by convict labour and consecrated in 1819, its Georgian Palladian columns have survived bombs, looting, and generations of faithful worship. Today, its steeple still rings out in four languages — a rare reminder that heritage sites aren’t just frozen relics, but living places of gathering and belief. This week, visitors can trace those convict-carved marks on its portico, stand beneath the 1885 mahogany tree, and reflect on how George Town’s colonial past continues to shape its diverse present.
In Vietnam, 17 National Treasures now gathered in Ho Chi Minh City for the first time ever. Dong Son ceramics steaming through 2,500 years, Champa goddesses gazing serenely across centuries of empire and upheaval, imperial seals of the Nguyen court, and bold modernist lacquer paintings — all telling the story of a nation that has redefined itself again and again. For those keeping track, there are 327 official National Treasures to date.
Just outside of Southeast Asia, Yunnan’s hills have offered up a remarkable “archive” from two millennia ago. At Kunming’s Hebosuo site, archaeologists have uncovered tens of thousands of wooden slips and more than 2,000 clay seals from the Dian Kingdom, a Bronze Age princedom absorbed by the Western Han Dynasty around 109 BC. These finds — from tax records and household rolls to painted pictographs of local horses — show how Emperor Wu’s “one country, two systems” strategy bound far-flung frontiers into a vast imperial network long before the modern map took shape. What was once a half-legendary footnote is now a vivid case study in how ancient states balanced local autonomy and imperial control.
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And now, on to the news:
Contents
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Highlights of the Week
In no particular order, here are five of the most popular stories from this week:
Yunnan’s Dian Kingdom Yields Huge Han Dynasty Archive
via China Daily, 30 June 2025: New finds at Hebosuo site in Kunming are rewriting the history of China’s Dian Kingdom, a southwest princedom absorbed by the Han Dynasty over 2,000 years ago. Alongside the famed gold seal of the King of Dian, archaeologists have now unearthed 2,000 clay seals and over 50,000 wooden slips, revealing a detailed local administration under Han rule—from taxes and household records to pictorial symbols of horses and people. This “ancient archive” proves Emperor Wu’s flexible frontier policy and shows Yunnan’s integration into the Han state as early as 109 BC.Ayutthaya Archive Sets New Heritage Standard for Southeast Asia
via UNESCO, 02 July 2025: Ayutthaya’s new Records Preservation Facility is setting an example for Southeast Asia’s World Heritage sites, thanks to a UNESCO/Japan Funds-in-Trust project tackling fragile archives. Site managers from Thailand and Lao PDR joined a hands-on workshop on rescuing water-damaged records, cataloguing, and digital storage. Ayutthaya’s new purpose-built archive now consolidates decades of scattered maps, field notes, and plans—helping protect the site’s conservation memory from pests, humidity, or neglect. The simple, low-footprint facility shows that safeguarding “paper heritage” can be practical, affordable, and replicable across the region.Khmer Curse Tale Gains New Life Amid Thailand Tensions
via Nation Thailand, 04 July 2025: As tensions spike between Thailand and Cambodia, Cambodians are revisiting the ancient legend of King Taeng Whan, a melon farmer who overthrew the last royal descendant of Suryavarman I in the late 13th century. The story centres on Suryavarman’s stele inscription warning ruin to traitors against his bloodline—believed to have cursed Taeng Whan’s usurpation. Public fascination reignited after an unusual lightning strike hit Angkor Wat days after a ritual to lift the ancient curse, blending folklore, history, and present-day geopolitics.Ancient Maros Art to Feature in National History Overhaul
via ANTARA, 05 July 2025: Indonesia’s Leang-Leang Cave, famous for its ancient handprints and wild boar paintings, will be included in the country’s national history rewriting project, announced Culture Minister Fadli Zon during the Gau Maraja Leang-Leang Cultural Festival in Maros, South Sulawesi. The initiative aims to spotlight Indonesia’s deep prehistoric heritage alongside modern events like the 1998 tragedy. Local officials hope the inclusion, plus an ongoing UNESCO bid, will elevate Leang-Leang’s status internationally. The festival drew delegates from 11 countries and showcased the cave’s cultural legacy with art, symposiums, and illuminated installations.Sagaing’s Earthquake Hit Sites Repaired Ahead of Rains
via Global New Light of Myanmar, 06 July 2025: The Department of Archaeology and National Museum has completed restoration of Kyaiklat Chaung Pagoda and Tilokaguru Cave in Sagaing Township. The Pagoda, now stabilized ahead of the monsoon, preserves rare Pinya-period murals, while the Cave contains Nyaungyan-era paintings. Damage had been documented by “Heart of Bagan” following the March 28, 2025 earthquake, and restoration proceeded swiftly thanks to cash donations and engineering support—marking the first of 1,641 quake-hit Buddhist sites to receive repairs.
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] 300,000-year-old wooden tools from Gantangqing, southwest China
via Science, 03 July 2025: A remarkable find of 35 wooden tools at the 300,000-year-old Gantangqing site in Yunnan, China, sheds new light on Paleolithic life in East Asia. Unlike the few known ancient wooden tools from Europe and Africa — which were used for hunting — these Chinese examples include digging sticks and hook-like tools used to gather and process plants. The discovery suggests a highly plant-based diet and advanced woodworking techniques among local hominins, supporting the long-standing “bamboo hypothesis” that early East Asian populations relied heavily on organic materials for tools. Exceptional preservation at this ancient lakeside site reveals that sophisticated wood technology complemented the simpler stone tools found nearby, challenging old ideas of “primitive” early cultures in the region.
See also: The Conversation, ECNS, Interesting Engineering[Paper] Ancient genomes in Southwest China revealed genetic interactions among diverse populations in the historical period
via BMC Biology, 01 July 2025: New ancient genome analysis from the Songshan site in Guizhou shows that people living 650–300 years ago carried mostly Yellow River millet farmer ancestry, mixed with genes from Southern China and Southeast Asia, and clear ties to local Hmong-Mien speakers. The findings highlight Southwest China’s role as a historic crossroads of north-south migrations, local resilience, and ethnic formation, shedding new light on how ancient mobility and agriculture shaped modern Guizhou’s diverse peoples.[Paper] The Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage: Phillipines
via The Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, 30 June 2025: A new chapter by Tantuico and Orillaneda highlights that the Philippines still lacks a dedicated legal framework for underwater cultural heritage despite having extensive maritime heritage, including historic shipwrecks. The National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 covers cultural heritage in general but does not categorise UCH separately or provide detailed, enforceable protection. Although the Philippines has not ratified the UNESCO 2001 Convention on UCH, the chapter argues that the country’s heritage law aligns in spirit with its principles but requires stronger political will and legislative action to meet global standards for preserving shipwrecks and submerged sites.[Paper] Recent DNA Studies Question a 65 kya Arrival of Humans in Sahul
via Archaology in Oceania, 29 June 2025: New DNA research argues that Homo sapiens could not have settled Sahul (Australia–New Guinea) before 50,000 years ago, because all living Indigenous Australians carry Neanderthal DNA gained in Europe ~50 kya. This contradicts a single outlier site (Madjedbebe) dated to ~65 kya. Some archaeologists say the evidence is still too thin to rule out an earlier presence — but the DNA evidence tilts the timeline later for now.
See alos: Live Science[Paper] Ancient mitogenomes of Lapita pigs confirm continuity of the Pacific Clade in Remote Oceania
via Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 27 June 2025: The first complete ancient pig mitogenomes from Lapita sites confirm that the Pacific Clade pigs travelled with Lapita settlers to Remote Oceania ~3,000 years ago, maintaining genetic diversity in Western Remote Oceania but showing a sharp bottleneck in the east with Polynesian expansion. The study also found the first Pacific Clade pig in ancient China (7,000–6,000 BP), extending the known range of this lineage back into mainland East Asia. Together, these results highlight how early Pacific settlers managed, transported, and culturally valued pigs—crucial commensals in Oceania’s human story.[Paper] Uncovering Hidden Dynamics of Past Kinship and Exchange Relations on Papua New Guinea’s South Coast (650–300 cal BP) Through Scanning Electron Microscopy Automated Mineralogy Analyses of Pottery Sherds
via Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 15 April 2025: A new study using SEM-Automated Mineralogy on 650–300-year-old pottery from Papua New Guinea’s south coast reveals that similar pots at distant sites were locally made, not just traded by seafaring men as once thought. The findings highlight how women’s pottery skills, intermarriage, and tattoo traditions connected coastal communities long before colonial records—showing that it was often women’s knowledge, not just men’s voyages, that sustained kinship and cultural exchange across the region.
See also: The Conversation
Announcements
[Back to Contents]
Contact me if you have a call for papers or job posting that you want to publicise.
[Talk] Fauna from Funan: A Preliminary Zooarchaeological Analysis of Animal Remains from Angkor Borei, Cambodia
via Center for Khmer Studies: Join Tiyas Bhattacharyya, PhD candidate at the University of Oregon, for a free webinar exploring the zooarchaeology of Angkor Borei, Cambodia—an Early Historic/Pre-Angkorian site central to the ancient Funan polity. Her preliminary findings show diverse wild and domestic fauna, offering clues to how human-animal relationships at Angkor Borei evolved alongside shifts in subsistence, ritual, and sociopolitical organization. The session will take place online via Zoom on 11 July 2025, 8:30–10:00 am Cambodia time.[Talk] Ming Ceramics for the Islamic Market: ‘Ninefold circle’ Plates with Arabic Script
via Southeast Asian Ceramic Society: The Asian Civilisations Museum will host Dr. Annabel Teh Gallop, Lead Curator for Southeast Asia at the British Library, for a public talk on Ming-era Zhangzhou plates inscribed with Arabic script. Often mislabeled as ‘Swatow ware,’ these late 16th–early 17th century Chinese export ceramics were long thought to be specially commissioned by Acehnese sultans to mimic their royal seals—a theory Dr. Gallop’s research challenges with fresh evidence. The event takes place at the ACM’s Ngee Ann Auditorium on Sunday, 3 August, 4–5:30 pm.
Upcoming Events
[Back to Contents]
Contact me if you have an event, public lecture or job posting that you want to publicise.
11 July 2025: Fauna from Funan: A Preliminary Zooarchaeological Analysis of Animal Remains from Angkor Borei, Cambodia (Online)
17-19 July 2025: Decolonization of Southeast Asian Studies Workshop (Chiang Mai, Thailand)
3 August 2025: Ming Ceramics for the Islamic Market: ‘Ninefold circle’ Plates with Arabic Script (Singapore)
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
[Back to Contents]
Maritime Culture on Indonesian Rock Art
This engaging Google Arts & Culture feature explores how ancient Indonesian rock art vividly captures the region’s deep maritime heritage. From Sulawesi to East Kalimantan, these pictographs and petroglyphs reveal boats, sea creatures, and sailing scenes that show how seafaring shaped early island communities. They remind us that long before modern borders, Indonesia’s ancestors were master navigators whose livelihoods and identities were bound to the sea.
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!
Cambodia
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Cambodia]
[Talk] Fauna from Funan: A Preliminary Zooarchaeological Analysis of Animal Remains from Angkor Borei, Cambodia
via Center for Khmer Studies: Join Tiyas Bhattacharyya, PhD candidate at the University of Oregon, for a free webinar exploring the zooarchaeology of Angkor Borei, Cambodia—an Early Historic/Pre-Angkorian site central to the ancient Funan polity. Her preliminary findings show diverse wild and domestic fauna, offering clues to how human-animal relationships at Angkor Borei evolved alongside shifts in subsistence, ritual, and sociopolitical organization. The session will take place online via Zoom on 11 July 2025, 8:30–10:00 am Cambodia time.Cambodia Marks 74 Years with UNESCO, Reaffirms Heritage Role
via Khmer Times, 06 July 2025: Cambodia has marked 74 years of UNESCO membership with messages from Senate President Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet, highlighting the country’s sustained commitment to preserving cultural heritage. Since joining UNESCO in 1951, Cambodia has secured four World Heritage sites—Angkor, Preah Vihear, Sambor Prei Kuk, and Koh Ker—alongside seven intangible heritage elements like Bokator and the Royal Ballet, plus three entries on the Memory of the World Register, including the Tuol Sleng Genocide Archives. Leaders framed the anniversary as a call to continue safeguarding Khmer traditions for future generations.Cambodia Rejects Thai Claim on Ta Moan Temple
via Khmer Times, 05 July 2025: Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has firmly rejected Thailand’s claim over the Ta Moan Temple complex, calling it legally invalid and contrary to the Franco-Siamese Treaties (1904, 1907) and the 2000 MoU, which Cambodia says clearly place the temple inside Oddar Meanchey province. The Ministry urged Thailand to respect international norms, warning that Cambodia may again turn to the ICJ to settle the escalating standoff.
See also: The Nation, Cambodianess, Khmer TimesAngkor Sees Big Boost in Chinese Visitors This Year
via Khmer Times, 05 July 2025: Cambodia’s Angkor Archaeological Park welcomed 47,571 Chinese tourists in the first half of 2025—a 25% increase year-on-year—according to Angkor Enterprise. China is now Angkor’s fourth-largest source market, behind the US, UK, and France. Overall, the park attracted over 567,000 foreign visitors from 171 countries between January and June, generating $26.3 million in ticket revenue. Experts attribute the surge to the Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025, boosted by direct flights and group tour deals.Khmer Curse Tale Gains New Life Amid Thailand Tensions
via Nation Thailand, 04 July 2025: As tensions spike between Thailand and Cambodia, Cambodians are revisiting the ancient legend of King Taeng Whan, a melon farmer who overthrew the last royal descendant of Suryavarman I in the late 13th century. The story centres on Suryavarman’s stele inscription warning ruin to traitors against his bloodline—believed to have cursed Taeng Whan’s usurpation. Public fascination reignited after an unusual lightning strike hit Angkor Wat days after a ritual to lift the ancient curse, blending folklore, history, and present-day geopolitics.APSARA Continues Work on 10th-Century Khmer Temple
via Khmer Times, 04 July 2025: Cambodia’s APSARA National Authority (ANA) has begun Phase 2 of restoring the Trapeang Khchorng Temple (Banteay Keng Temple) in Siem Reap, focusing on the damaged front section of the main shrine. The temple—built under King Jayavarman V—features three shrines of brick, laterite, and sandstone. Recent excavations uncovered pottery, pillars, and roofing elements, which will be reused using an analogy technique to faithfully replicate lost parts. Phase 2 began in May and will run until November 2025, following a completed Phase 1 in 2024.Thailand Puts Cambodian Artefact Return On Hold
via The Nation, 04 July 2025: Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has dismissed rumours that 20 Khmer antiquities are being returned to Cambodia, clarifying that while the return was approved in principle in 2024, it has been delayed due to budget shortfalls and the current sensitive border dispute over sites like Ta Moan. The PM said the Ministry of Culture is reviewing the plan and warned of legal action against those spreading false claims. Thailand previously returned 23 artefacts in 2015, but further repatriation remains on hold for now.
See also: Pattaya MailPhnom Bakheng Tower G13 Gets Structural Rescue
via Khmer Times, 03 July 2025: Cambodia’s APSARA National Authority (ANA) is restoring brick tower G13 at Phnom Bakheng Temple to prevent collapse and protect the iconic Angkor-era site. Work began in May and focuses on reinforcing the 10-metre tower from foundation to roof, sealing bricks with mortar to guard against water damage and weed growth. Tower G13, part of Phnom Bakheng’s circle of 44 towers symbolising Mount Meru, is one of several towers restored in phases—following past work on towers G5, G10, G14, and G15. Phase one will run through November, with a second phase to follow in 2026.Thai General Urges Visits to Disputed Surin Border Temples
via Nation Thailand, 03 July 2025: Thailand’s 2nd Army Area commander, Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, has urged Thais to visit three disputed Khmer archaeological sites along the Surin border—Prasat Ta Muen Thom, Prasat Ta Muen Toch, and Prasat Ta Khwai—to boost tourism and support local communities. The sites, significant Hindu and Buddhist shrines built during the Khmer Empire between the 11th–13th centuries, are now the focus of a new ICJ lawsuit filed by Cambodia claiming ownership. Thailand reaffirms the temples are on Thai soil and part of its cultural heritage.
See also: Pattaya MailVisitors Flock to Sambor Prei Kuk World Heritage Site
via Khmer Times, 02 July 2025: Cambodia’s Sambor Prei Kuk Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, welcomed over 31,500 tourists in the first half of 2025—23,196 domestic and 8,314 international visitors—with more than 3,000 arrivals in June alone. Located in Kampong Thom Province, the ancient Chenla-era complex was inscribed in 2017 for its Outstanding Universal Value and remarkable preservation. Authorities credit years of conservation efforts under the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts for raising Sambor Prei Kuk’s profile as a key heritage destination beyond Angkor.Cambodia’s Angkor Park Sees 8% Growth in 2025
via Khmer Times, 02 July 2025: Cambodia’s Angkor Archaeological Park generated $26.3 million from ticket sales in the first half of 2025, up 8% year-on-year, according to Angkor Enterprise. The UNESCO-listed site saw 567,673 foreign visitors from January to June, a 8.7% increase over the same period in 2024. Experts expect the Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025 to further boost Chinese arrivals through direct flights and group packages, supporting Angkor’s role as the country’s top heritage draw.
Indonesia
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Indonesia]
Ancient Maros Art to Feature in National History Overhaul
via ANTARA, 05 July 2025: Indonesia’s Leang-Leang Cave, famous for its ancient handprints and wild boar paintings, will be included in the country’s national history rewriting project, announced Culture Minister Fadli Zon during the Gau Maraja Leang-Leang Cultural Festival in Maros, South Sulawesi. The initiative aims to spotlight Indonesia’s deep prehistoric heritage alongside modern events like the 1998 tragedy. Local officials hope the inclusion, plus an ongoing UNESCO bid, will elevate Leang-Leang’s status internationally. The festival drew delegates from 11 countries and showcased the cave’s cultural legacy with art, symposiums, and illuminated installations.Indonesia Steps Up Repatriation of Colonial Artefacts
via ANTARA, 30 June 2025: Indonesia is ramping up its colonial-era repatriation efforts, aiming to bring home artefacts of high historical value, Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said during a visit to BRIN’s storage in Bogor. A special team is researching the provenance of thousands of pieces in the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK, targeting the massive Dubois fossil collection, royal keris, and heirlooms like Nogo Siluman. In 2024, Indonesia recovered 828 artefacts; more are planned for the nation’s 80th Independence Day. Returned items will be scientifically curated and publicly exhibited to restore their full historical context.Indonesia Claims ‘Oldest Civilisation’ Status With Fossils
via ANTARA, 30 June 2025: Indonesia’s Culture Minister Fadli Zon says the country’s extensive Homo erectus fossil record, especially from Sangiran, justifies its claim as one of the world’s oldest civilisations. Speaking at BRIN’s archaeological storage in Bogor, Zon stressed that 60% of known Homo erectus remains come from Indonesia, making it the “capital of world civilisations.” He underscored the need for cross-sector collaboration, scientific conservation, and the repatriation of the Dubois fossil collection from the Netherlands to strengthen national identity and showcase Indonesia’s deep prehistoric legacy.
Laos
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Laos]
[Talk] Pioneering Research in Thailand and Laos
via Penn Museum, 07 June 2025: Dr. Joyce White’s lecture traced the Penn Museum’s trailblazing role in uncovering Southeast Asia’s deep prehistory, from early excavations at Ban Chiang to her cross-border research in Laos along the Middle Mekong. She detailed decades of work on early metallurgy, agriculture, and community specialization, and how her team’s collaborations, new field surveys, local training, and major botanical research continue to reshape what we know about ancient Thailand and Laos.
Malaysia
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Malaysia]
Oldest Anglican Church in SEA Still Thrives in Penang
via Malay Mail, 01 July 2025: St George’s Church in George Town, Penang—Southeast Asia’s oldest Anglican church, built in 1818—remains an active place of worship and national heritage site. Known for its grand Greek temple-style pavilion, historic mahogany tree (1885), and colonial monuments, it survived WWII bombings and looting but now faces new structural challenges from heavy traffic. The church offers Sunday services in four languages and runs a small heritage centre daily.
Myanmar
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Myanmar]
Intangible Cultural Loss Documented After Mandalay Quake
via Global New Light of Myanmar, 06 July 2025: The Department of Archaeology and National Museum has completed field surveys in Mandalay and Sagaing Regions, plus Shan State, documenting damage to intangible cultural heritage from the March 2025 earthquake. Using international methods, they inventoried ten at-risk cultural elements—festivals such as the Mahamuni Buddha Image Festival, Shinmalae Pagoda Festival, Waso Cane-ball Festival, Yadanagu Nat Festival, Paleik Mwayphaya, Mingala-cart decoration, plus weaving, dyeing, and grass‑mat weaving traditions. They also recorded impacts on ongoing research projects around Inle Lake, Shan State, in surveys conducted from May 10–12.Sagaing’s Earthquake Hit Sites Repaired Ahead of Rains
via Global New Light of Myanmar, 06 July 2025: The Department of Archaeology and National Museum has completed restoration of Kyaiklat Chaung Pagoda and Tilokaguru Cave in Sagaing Township. The Pagoda, now stabilized ahead of the monsoon, preserves rare Pinya-period murals, while the Cave contains Nyaungyan-era paintings. Damage had been documented by “Heart of Bagan” following the March 28, 2025 earthquake, and restoration proceeded swiftly thanks to cash donations and engineering support—marking the first of 1,641 quake-hit Buddhist sites to receive repairs.
Mahamuni Pagoda Repairs Underway After Earthquake
via Global New Light of Myanmar, 30 June 2025: Restoration of Mandalay’s Mahamuni Pagoda, damaged by the recent earthquake, is underway with new expert committees formed to oversee structural repairs. Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung stressed the need for careful supervision by the Department of Archaeology and Myanmar Engineering Council to ensure the buildings are rebuilt to their original strength. The pagoda, one of Myanmar’s most revered Buddhist sites, remains open to the public on Sabbath Days during the repair period.
Philippines
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of the Philippines]
Cebuanos Get Once‑in‑A‑Lifetime Show of Historic PH Maps
via GMA Regional TV, 06 July 2025: The National Museum of the Philippines–Cebu officially opened Classics of Philippine Cartography from the 16th to the 20th Centuries on 5 July 2025. Hosted in Cebu’s historic Aduana Building, the exhibit showcases over 80 original maps and 10 reproductions—including the revered 1734 Murillo Velarde map, notable for its scientific precision and role in territorial claims—alongside a detailed 1873 map of Cebu City. Organized by PHIMCOS, the exhibit runs through January 31, 2026; admission is free.[Paper] The Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage: Phillipines
via The Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, 30 June 2025: A new chapter by Tantuico and Orillaneda highlights that the Philippines still lacks a dedicated legal framework for underwater cultural heritage despite having extensive maritime heritage, including historic shipwrecks. The National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 covers cultural heritage in general but does not categorise UCH separately or provide detailed, enforceable protection. Although the Philippines has not ratified the UNESCO 2001 Convention on UCH, the chapter argues that the country’s heritage law aligns in spirit with its principles but requires stronger political will and legislative action to meet global standards for preserving shipwrecks and submerged sites.
Singapore
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Singapore]
[Talk] Ming Ceramics for the Islamic Market: ‘Ninefold circle’ Plates with Arabic Script
via Southeast Asian Ceramic Society: The Asian Civilisations Museum will host Dr. Annabel Teh Gallop, Lead Curator for Southeast Asia at the British Library, for a public talk on Ming-era Zhangzhou plates inscribed with Arabic script. Often mislabeled as ‘Swatow ware,’ these late 16th–early 17th century Chinese export ceramics were long thought to be specially commissioned by Acehnese sultans to mimic their royal seals—a theory Dr. Gallop’s research challenges with fresh evidence. The event takes place at the ACM’s Ngee Ann Auditorium on Sunday, 3 August, 4–5:30 pm.
Thailand
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Thailand]
Surin Border Temples See Visitor Surge After Army Push
via Pattaya Mail, 05 July 2025: Thailand’s historic border temples—Prasat Ta Muen Thom, Prasat Ta Khwai, and Prasat Ta Muen Toch—have seen a spike in visitors after 2nd Army Area Commander Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang urged Thais to visit the sites to boost local tourism and morale. Over 800 people visited the temples in a single day, with many bringing gifts and encouragement for soldiers guarding the sensitive Surin border. The Army noted that the increase in footfall has also helped stimulate local spending and strengthen community ties amid the ongoing territorial dispute with Cambodia.Cambodia Rejects Thai Claim on Ta Moan Temple
via Khmer Times, 05 July 2025: Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has firmly rejected Thailand’s claim over the Ta Moan Temple complex, calling it legally invalid and contrary to the Franco-Siamese Treaties (1904, 1907) and the 2000 MoU, which Cambodia says clearly place the temple inside Oddar Meanchey province. The Ministry urged Thailand to respect international norms, warning that Cambodia may again turn to the ICJ to settle the escalating standoff.
See also: The Nation, Cambodianess, Khmer TimesThailand Puts Cambodian Artefact Return On Hold
via The Nation, 04 July 2025: Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has dismissed rumours that 20 Khmer antiquities are being returned to Cambodia, clarifying that while the return was approved in principle in 2024, it has been delayed due to budget shortfalls and the current sensitive border dispute over sites like Ta Moan. The PM said the Ministry of Culture is reviewing the plan and warned of legal action against those spreading false claims. Thailand previously returned 23 artefacts in 2015, but further repatriation remains on hold for now.
See also: Pattaya MailKhmer Curse Tale Gains New Life Amid Thailand Tensions
via Nation Thailand, 04 July 2025: As tensions spike between Thailand and Cambodia, Cambodians are revisiting the ancient legend of King Taeng Whan, a melon farmer who overthrew the last royal descendant of Suryavarman I in the late 13th century. The story centres on Suryavarman’s stele inscription warning ruin to traitors against his bloodline—believed to have cursed Taeng Whan’s usurpation. Public fascination reignited after an unusual lightning strike hit Angkor Wat days after a ritual to lift the ancient curse, blending folklore, history, and present-day geopolitics.Thai General Urges Visits to Disputed Surin Border Temples
via Nation Thailand, 03 July 2025: Thailand’s 2nd Army Area commander, Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, has urged Thais to visit three disputed Khmer archaeological sites along the Surin border—Prasat Ta Muen Thom, Prasat Ta Muen Toch, and Prasat Ta Khwai—to boost tourism and support local communities. The sites, significant Hindu and Buddhist shrines built during the Khmer Empire between the 11th–13th centuries, are now the focus of a new ICJ lawsuit filed by Cambodia claiming ownership. Thailand reaffirms the temples are on Thai soil and part of its cultural heritage.
See also: Pattaya MailThai Army: Google Maps Temple Shift Has No Legal Weight
via Thai PBS World, 03 July 2025: The Thai army has reassured the public that Google Maps’ recent repositioning of Prasat Ta Muen Thom from Thailand’s Surin province to Cambodia has no legal impact on the disputed border. Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree stressed that map apps rely on private data and can contain errors, which cannot be used as evidence in international legal cases. Users are encouraged to report any inaccuracies directly to Google.Ayutthaya Archive Sets New Heritage Standard for Southeast Asia
via UNESCO, 02 July 2025: Ayutthaya’s new Records Preservation Facility is setting an example for Southeast Asia’s World Heritage sites, thanks to a UNESCO/Japan Funds-in-Trust project tackling fragile archives. Site managers from Thailand and Lao PDR joined a hands-on workshop on rescuing water-damaged records, cataloguing, and digital storage. Ayutthaya’s new purpose-built archive now consolidates decades of scattered maps, field notes, and plans—helping protect the site’s conservation memory from pests, humidity, or neglect. The simple, low-footprint facility shows that safeguarding “paper heritage” can be practical, affordable, and replicable across the region.Editorial: Cambodia’s Temple Claims Overblown
via Bangkok Post, 02 July 2025: An editorial argues Cambodia’s protest over Thailand’s Phu Man Fah temple—accused of copying Angkor Wat—is misplaced. The temple’s Siha Nakhon project, featuring three cone-shaped towers, resembles Khmer motifs but also mirrors ancient Thai sites like Phimai and Prang Sam Yod, which predate Angkor Wat. The piece says Cambodia’s demands to halt construction are excessive, noting shared heritage should not spark paranoia. The editorial praises Cambodia’s commitment to preservation but insists Angkor Wat’s value is unshakable by modern copies.[Talk] Pioneering Research in Thailand and Laos
via Penn Museum, 07 June 2025: Dr. Joyce White’s lecture traced the Penn Museum’s trailblazing role in uncovering Southeast Asia’s deep prehistory, from early excavations at Ban Chiang to her cross-border research in Laos along the Middle Mekong. She detailed decades of work on early metallurgy, agriculture, and community specialization, and how her team’s collaborations, new field surveys, local training, and major botanical research continue to reshape what we know about ancient Thailand and Laos.
Vietnam
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of Vietnam]
Hue Secures Nguyen Dynasty Treasures After Vandalism
via VietNamNet, 04 June 2025: After a vandalism incident damaged Emperor Duy Tan’s throne, Hue’s Thai Hoa Palace has placed its precious Nguyen Dynasty artefacts—including imperial thrones from Duy Tan and Khai Dinh—inside protective glass cases. Declared a national treasure in 2024, Duy Tan’s throne is notable for its intricate craftsmanship and small size, reflecting his ascension at age seven. The Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities has also upgraded its surveillance, added alarms, and boosted security staff to protect its 11,000-strong collection. The damaged throne is under review for restoration.17 National Treasures on Display in Ho Chi Minh City
via Vietnam Net, 30 June 2025: For the first time, 17 National Treasures from public museums and a private collection are displayed together in Ho Chi Minh City. The exhibit, open until 10 August at the Ho Chi Minh City History Museum, spans Vietnam’s rich cultural eras—from the Dong Son ceramic steamer (2,500–2,000 years old) to Champa and Oc Eo sculptures, Nguyen Dynasty relics, and 20th-century lacquer masterpieces by Nguyen Gia Tri and Nguyen Sang. Officials hope the show will deepen public appreciation and encourage greater care for the nation’s 327 recognized treasures.
See also: Vietnam Plus, VOV, VOV World, Vietnam Net
Peripheral Southeast Asia
[Back to Contents] [Archaeology of ‘Peripheral’ Southeast Asia]
[Paper] 300,000-year-old wooden tools from Gantangqing, southwest China
via Science, 03 July 2025: A remarkable find of 35 wooden tools at the 300,000-year-old Gantangqing site in Yunnan, China, sheds new light on Paleolithic life in East Asia. Unlike the few known ancient wooden tools from Europe and Africa — which were used for hunting — these Chinese examples include digging sticks and hook-like tools used to gather and process plants. The discovery suggests a highly plant-based diet and advanced woodworking techniques among local hominins, supporting the long-standing “bamboo hypothesis” that early East Asian populations relied heavily on organic materials for tools. Exceptional preservation at this ancient lakeside site reveals that sophisticated wood technology complemented the simpler stone tools found nearby, challenging old ideas of “primitive” early cultures in the region.
See also: The Conversation, ECNS, Interesting EngineeringIllegal Constructions Threaten Sigiriya’s World Heritage Status
via Daily News, 03 July 2025: Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Culture warns that 124 unauthorized constructions inside Sigiriya’s protected zones threaten the site’s UNESCO World Heritage status. A new inter-agency task force is now tasked with removing these structures to protect the 5th-century royal citadel’s integrated heritage landscape. Officials stress that while UNESCO has not yet issued a removal warning, urgent action is needed to prevent future risk.
See also: Adaderana, Sri Lanka Mirror[Paper] Ancient genomes in Southwest China revealed genetic interactions among diverse populations in the historical period
via BMC Biology, 01 July 2025: New ancient genome analysis from the Songshan site in Guizhou shows that people living 650–300 years ago carried mostly Yellow River millet farmer ancestry, mixed with genes from Southern China and Southeast Asia, and clear ties to local Hmong-Mien speakers. The findings highlight Southwest China’s role as a historic crossroads of north-south migrations, local resilience, and ethnic formation, shedding new light on how ancient mobility and agriculture shaped modern Guizhou’s diverse peoples.Yunnan’s Dian Kingdom Yields Huge Han Dynasty Archive
via China Daily, 30 June 2025: New finds at Hebosuo site in Kunming are rewriting the history of China’s Dian Kingdom, a southwest princedom absorbed by the Han Dynasty over 2,000 years ago. Alongside the famed gold seal of the King of Dian, archaeologists have now unearthed 2,000 clay seals and over 50,000 wooden slips, revealing a detailed local administration under Han rule—from taxes and household records to pictorial symbols of horses and people. This “ancient archive” proves Emperor Wu’s flexible frontier policy and shows Yunnan’s integration into the Han state as early as 109 BC.[Paper] Recent DNA Studies Question a 65 kya Arrival of Humans in Sahul
via Archaology in Oceania, 29 June 2025: New DNA research argues that Homo sapiens could not have settled Sahul (Australia–New Guinea) before 50,000 years ago, because all living Indigenous Australians carry Neanderthal DNA gained in Europe ~50 kya. This contradicts a single outlier site (Madjedbebe) dated to ~65 kya. Some archaeologists say the evidence is still too thin to rule out an earlier presence — but the DNA evidence tilts the timeline later for now.
See alos: Live Science[Paper] Ancient mitogenomes of Lapita pigs confirm continuity of the Pacific Clade in Remote Oceania
via Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 27 June 2025: The first complete ancient pig mitogenomes from Lapita sites confirm that the Pacific Clade pigs travelled with Lapita settlers to Remote Oceania ~3,000 years ago, maintaining genetic diversity in Western Remote Oceania but showing a sharp bottleneck in the east with Polynesian expansion. The study also found the first Pacific Clade pig in ancient China (7,000–6,000 BP), extending the known range of this lineage back into mainland East Asia. Together, these results highlight how early Pacific settlers managed, transported, and culturally valued pigs—crucial commensals in Oceania’s human story.[Paper] Uncovering Hidden Dynamics of Past Kinship and Exchange Relations on Papua New Guinea’s South Coast (650–300 cal BP) Through Scanning Electron Microscopy Automated Mineralogy Analyses of Pottery Sherds
via Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 15 April 2025: A new study using SEM-Automated Mineralogy on 650–300-year-old pottery from Papua New Guinea’s south coast reveals that similar pots at distant sites were locally made, not just traded by seafaring men as once thought. The findings highlight how women’s pottery skills, intermarriage, and tattoo traditions connected coastal communities long before colonial records—showing that it was often women’s knowledge, not just men’s voyages, that sustained kinship and cultural exchange across the region.
See also: The Conversation