Noel Hidalgo Tan

    Dr Noel Hidalgo Tan is a Singaporean archaeologist currently based in Jakarta, Indonesia. He runs the SEAArch | Southeast Asian Archaeology website. His main research interest is in the rock art of Southeast Asia. He serves on the Archaeology Advisory Panel of Singapore and is a Expert Member of ICOMOS ICAHM (International Committee of Archaeological Heritage Management) and ISC-CAR (Rock Art).

    About Me

    Hi there! I’m Noel – an archaeologist from Singapore currently based in Jakarta, Indonesia. For nearly 20 years, I’ve been deeply engaged with the archaeology and cultural heritage of Southeast Asia. Growing up in Singapore, there weren’t many formal ways to learn about archaeology – no degrees, and the closest I got in school was through high school history. That gap inspired me to start the SEAArch | Southeast Asian Archaeology website in 2006, where I began collecting news and resources about archaeology in the region. Since then, it’s grown into an educational hub for the public and an accessible resource for all who want to learn more about Southeast Asia’s past.

    My journey in archaeology has taken me across the region. While still in Singapore, I was fortunate to participate in local excavations, which led me to pursue archaeology studies abroad. I completed my Master’s and PhD in Malaysia and Australia, focusing on rock art – a research interest that still guides much of my work today. After my PhD, I joined the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SPAFA) in Bangkok as a Senior Specialist, where I developed programs to support archaeologists across Southeast Asia. I also had the opportunity to relaunch SPAFA’s academic journal, which is now an open-access publication listed on Scopus.

    In 2024, I moved to Jakarta to take on a new role in an intergovernmental organisation, where I now work on policy research and analysis in Culture, Arts, Media, and Information. This position draws on my background in heritage and my early experiences in media – as both a journalist and a long-time web publisher. While my day-to-day focus has shifted slightly, I continue to research Southeast Asian rock art and maintain SEAArch. The website’s news section has now moved into a free weekly newsletter, reaching over 2,000 subscribers.

    I also consult occasionally in my areas of expertise, contributing to cultural heritage and archaeology projects across the region. Below, you’ll find links to more of my work, publications, and other professional pages. If you’re interested in Southeast Asian archaeology or have any questions, feel free to reach out – I’d love to hear from you!

    Noel Hidalgo Tan
    Last updated: 7 November 2024

    Publications

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    Journal Articles (peer-reviewed)

    Edited Books

    Books

    Book Chapters

    Conference Proceedings

    • Tan, N. H., & Pookaiyaudom, G. (2020). Sustainability Strategies for Tourism Management of Archaeological Sites Proceedings of the International Conference On Archaeology 2019: “Promoting Archaeology Towards Heritage And Tourism”.
    • Tan, N. H. (2017). Boat rock art from Luang Prabang, Laos Sea and Underwater Cultural Heritage in Viet Nam and Southeast Asia (pp. 143-148). Hai Phong: Institute of Archaeology.
    • Tan, N. H. (2017). Challenges in the development of Underwater Archaeology, past and present: A SEAMEO SPAFA Perspective Sea and Underwater Cultural Heritage in Viet Nam and Southeast Asia (pp. 24-28). Hai Phong: Institute of Archaeology.
    • Tan, N. H. (2016). Rock art as an indication of (Austronesian) migration in Island Southeast Asia. In B. Prasetyo, T. S. Nastiti, & T. Simanjuntak (Eds.), Austronesian Diaspora: A New Perspective (pp. 165-180). Yogyakarta: Gadjah Mada University Press.
    • Tan, N. H. (2016). Elephants in Southeast Asian Rock Art: An Overview. In A. Manatunga (Ed.), Asian Elephants in Culture and Nature (pp. 367-374). Colombo: Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kalaniya, Sri Lanka.
    • Sukkham, A., Taçon, P.S.C. & Tan, N.H. (2011). Rock art of Phrayanaga (Viking) Cave, southern Thailand: the illustration of ancient vessels. Proceedings from the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage, 8-12 Nov 2011, Manila, Philippines.

    Theses

    Other Notable Works

    Conference and Invited Presentations

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    In the News

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