Gold artefacts stolen; Interpol assistance requested Jakarta Post, 21 January 2011

Pencurian Koleksi Emas Sonobudoyo Gelap Kompas.com, 11 January 2011 (In [...]]]> A case where 80 gold artefacts were stolen from a museum in Yogyakarta have been referred to Interpol, as it is believed that the artefacts have been smuggled out of the country and sold.

Gold artefacts stolen; Interpol assistance requested
Jakarta Post, 21 January 2011

Pencurian Koleksi Emas Sonobudoyo Gelap
Kompas.com, 11 January 2011
(In Bahasa Indonesia)

Yogyakarta Police says it has asked the International Police to help investigate the theft of 80 gold artefacts from the Sonobudoyo museum collection.

Police detective Syaiful Anwar said Thursday the international police assistance was needed in case the stolen items were smuggled abroad, kompas.com reported.

The collection, which was stolen last August, included a gold mask, 19 gold plates, a gold statue and jewelry.

photo credit: C_Baltrusch

Yogyakarta’s Temples in [...]]]> Archaeologists and geologists are still concerned with the threat of volcanic mudflow from Mt Merapi, combined with the rainy season damaging the temples of Prambanan. The mudflow has already destroyed several houses and structures and its path is projected to be close to, or near several ancient temples.

photo credit: C_Baltrusch

Yogyakarta’s Temples in the Firing Line of Lahar Floods
Jakarta Globe, 18 January 2011

Volcanic mud threatens Prambanan Temple
Jakarta Post, 17 January 2011

Lahar, the cold volcanic debris flowing down the slopes of Mount Merapi, is not only threatening houses and infrastructure but also archeological sites, a geologist said on Tuesday.

Subandrio, head of the Volcano Investigation and Technology Development Institution (BPPTK), said a team of geologists and archaeologists was evaluating the physical condition of temples located near the paths of the lahar runoff from Merapi.

“According to a letter from the Archaeological Heritage Conservation Center of Central Java, we have to give particular attention to the safety of Prambanan Temple and other temples in the complex,” he said.

Prambanan is a ninth century Hindu temple complex and a Unesco World Heritage site.

The Archaeological Heritage Conservation Center (BPPP) has asked the BPPTK to carefully monitor lahar flows near the temples. Three geophones, which can detect vibrations caused by lava flows, have been put in place as an early warning system.

Excavation of a Majapahit-era house in Tegal Sari. Surabaya Post, 20110110

Majapahit Era Excavation House Retired Surabaya Post, 10 January 2011 Translated by Google

Excavation [...]]]> Excavations on a Majapahit-era house in East Java have suspended, pending further instructions from regional and national authorities. Archaeologists has thus far discovered Ming-era ceramics, pottery and tiles.

Majapahit Era Excavation House Retired
Surabaya Post, 10 January 2011
Translated by Google

Excavation of foundation of Majapahit era house in the hamlet of Tegal Sari, Village / District Puri, Mojokerto regency, paused. Institute for Conservation of Archaeological Heritage (BP3) Java in Trowulan, Kab. Mojokerto, Monday (10 / 1), need to get a recommendation from the Central Agency for National Archaeologist and Archaeology Center Jogjakarta about whether the research at the site continued or not.

Monday (10 / 1) today, BP3 Java in Trowulan transmit data and sample excavation to the two institutions are to be studied. ”We do not know whether this research dna excavation continued or not. We await the decision of the center, “says Head of East Java province in Trowulan BP3, Drs Aris Sofiani, about the follow-up cessation of the excavation site for five days until Saturday (8 / 1).

If a team from the Central Agency and the Centre National Archaeologists Archaeologists Yogyakarta Archaeological excavation and research recommendations followed, the team from East Java in Trowulan BP3 will continue.

Pile of Bricks in Bojonegoro Presumed to be Ancient Hindu Temple Tempo Interaktif, 15 December 2010

A pile of old red bricks discovered in the tourist destination of [...]]]> A pile of bricks in a village in East Java may very well be the remains of a Hindu temple from the Majapahit period (15th-16th century).

Pile of Bricks in Bojonegoro Presumed to be Ancient Hindu Temple
Tempo Interaktif, 15 December 2010

A pile of old red bricks discovered in the tourist destination of Kayangan Api of Sendangharjo Village in Ngasem Sub-districts of Bojonegoro, East Java, is presumed to be the ruins of a temple from the Majapahit era, around the 1400-1500. The archaeological team from the University of Indonesia, which spent six days excavating the site, said that they recognized the temple’s characteristics from its structure and surrounding area.

Archeologist Ali Akbar is convinced that the temple was used to honor the god Agni or fire god because it is located near a natural fire source. “This could be the only one in Java,” he said. He suggested continuing the research because the excavation only covered an area of 25 square meters.

Government Releases Land of Ancient Site Tempointeraktif, 15 November 2010

The Rembang [...]]]> The local government of Rembang, in Central Java, releases funds to acquire land where an ancient ship was found, with the intent to build a maritime museum at a later time. The ship dates to the 7th century and is almost intact.

Government Releases Land of Ancient Site
Tempointeraktif, 15 November 2010

The Rembang government has allocated Rp340 million from the 2011 Regional Budget to release the site of an ancient ship in Punjulharjo Village. “Later, we will build a maritime museum there,” said Budiyono, the Rembang Culture, Tourism, Youth, and Sports Office chief in charge of Information and Promotion, yesterday.

The Yogyakarta Archeology Agency Chief, Siswanto, said for the time being, the ship will stay in its location to avoid damage. “The pond water is good in resisting decay,” he said.

Sangiran to be Asia’s Biggest Center for the Study of Prehistoric Humans Tempo Interaktif, 18 October 2010

Harry Widianto, director of the Sangiran Conservation Center for the [...]]]> The Sangiran Center for the Study of Prehistoric Humans is getting ready to be the largest of its kind in Asia following the upgrading of its facilities.

Sangiran to be Asia’s Biggest Center for the Study of Prehistoric Humans
Tempo Interaktif, 18 October 2010

Harry Widianto, director of the Sangiran Conservation Center for the Study of Prehistoric Humans, said Sangiran will be the biggest center of its kind in Asia.

At present, the Center continues to develop the Sangiran Museum, located in Sragen. The museum is improving its exhibit areas, its laboratory, rooms for audio visual activity, creation of animation media, seminars and a home stay for researchers. It is also building an observation post, a souvenir center, and offices for conservation projects.

“The construction will be completed by October 2011 and it will be officially inaugurated by the President,” Harry said yesterday.

In future, visitors will get information on the process of human evolution and civilization, from prehistoric man to modern man, through the audio and animation. There will also be an observation post, from which visitors can view the Sangiran Site, measuring 56 square kilometer and covering 22 villages in Sragen and Karanganyar regencies.

Maritime Museum Plan Runs Aground, Threatening Nation’s Oldest Known Ship Jakarta Globe, 16 September 2010

A funding shortfall [...]]]> The lack of funds is threatening efforts to save and preserve the remains of a 7th century ship found in Central Java. The ship is the oldest known ship found in Indonesia and possibly Southeast Asia.

Maritime Museum Plan Runs Aground, Threatening Nation’s Oldest Known Ship
Jakarta Globe, 16 September 2010

A funding shortfall has threatened to sink the planned development of a maritime museum — set to be the biggest museum in the country — in Punjulharjo village in the Central Java district of Rembang.

Preservationists say the museum, which would be built around the remains of the oldest-ever ship to be discovered in the archipelago, requires five hectares of land.

The ship, however, was discovered on private property, and finding money to purchase the land has proved difficult.