Surakarta, December 2, 2024 – The 2024 National Prehistory Conference of Indonesia was officially opened today (10/2) at Novotel Solo, Surakarta. The event, themed “Indonesian Prehistoric Museums and Sites: Now and Future” is organized by the Indonesian Heritage Agency under the Ministry of Culture and will run for five days until December 6, 2024. This conference is the result of a collaboration between the Indonesian Heritage Agency (IHA), the Ministry of Culture, and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). The partnership aims to strengthen synergies between prehistoric cultural heritage management, scientific research, and the development of sustainable policies.
The opening ceremony was attended by national figures, academics, as well as cultural and historical enthusiasts. Dr. H. Fadli Zon, S.S., M.Sc., Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, delivered a virtual speech, emphasizing the importance of preserving prehistoric sites and areas as part of the national identity and a valuable global cultural asset.
“This conference plays a vital role in fostering synergy between the government, academics, researchers, practitioners, communities, and the public in preserving museums and cultural heritage sites. This aligns with the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to advancing national culture as mandated by Law No. 5 of 2017. As a great nation, we should take pride in the evidence of prehistoric human life that makes Indonesia worthy of being called the capital of world civilization,” stated the Minister of Culture in his speech.
Prof. Truman Simanjuntak, an expert in Indonesian prehistory, delivered a presentation titled ‘Indonesia’s Prehistory on the Global Stage’ during the opening session of the conference. In his presentation, Prof. Truman discussed Indonesia’s contributions to global prehistoric studies, including the recognition of the Sangiran Site as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and various other significant discoveries.
“Indonesia is not merely a witness to prehistoric civilization but also contributes to the global understanding of human evolution. Our museums and prehistoric sites stand as tangible evidence of the long historical journey of the Nusantara,” stated Prof. Truman.
The 2024 National Prehistoric Conference of Indonesia serves as a scientific platform for 24 selected researchers and academics, whose research was chosen from over 200 abstracts by expert teams from the Indonesian Heritage Agency (IHA) and the National Research and Innovation Agency. The research was presented through four strategic discussion panels covering themes such as museum and prehistoric site management, prehistoric collections and information studies, the role of museums in public education, and the developments and challenges of conserving prehistoric collections and sites. Each panel emphasized innovative approaches, cross-sector collaboration, and sustainable preservation to strengthen the management of Indonesia’s cultural heritage.
As part of the conference activities, participants were given the opportunity to join field visits to two important locations managed by the Indonesian Heritage Agency (IHA), namely the Sangiran Site (Sragen), a UNESCO World Heritage site and a center for prehistoric research in Indonesia, and the Song Terus Site (Pacitan), a prehistoric cave site with significant archaeological findings. Participants could choose one of the locations to experience firsthand the management of museums and prehistoric sites.
Registration for the general public is now open for free to academics, researchers, students, and practitioners interested in the fields of prehistory and archaeology. The event has a limited quota of 100 participants per day (December 2, 3, and 5, 2024), with facilities including an e-certificate, event meals, conference materials, and door prizes. Registration can be done through the provided link or QR Code, and participation confirmation will be sent via email by the committee. For more information, contact the committee or visit the following link: https://bit.ly/formpendaftaranKONPI. Be sure to register before the quota is full and become part of an important discussion on the future of museum and prehistoric site management in Indonesia!
For more information about the 2024 National Prehistoric Conference, visit the official website of the Ministry of Culture or contact the committee via email at konferensiprasejarah@kemendikbud.go.id.
About Indonesia Heritage Agency
Indonesian Heritage Agency (IHA) is a public service agency under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia. It is currently responsible for the management of 18 museums and galleries as well as 34 national cultural heritage sites in Indonesia. Established in 2022 and officially inaugurated as a public service agency on September 1, 2023, IHA envisions itself as a collaborative institution that fosters creativity, social change, and the development of a cultured society.
IHA prioritizes improving services based on protection as the main focus. By embracing creativity and promoting an inclusive collaborative spirit, MCB collectively contributes to broadening deep appreciation of Indonesia’s diverse cultural heritage.
About National Cultural Heritage Area and Sangiran Early Man Museum
Visiting the Sangiran National Cultural Heritage Area and Early Man Museum is a meaningful journey, as the museum houses invaluable prehistoric heritage from the Sangiran archaeological site, one of the most significant sites for early human fossil discoveries. The artifacts found and displayed in this museum are not only the oldest in Indonesia but also serve as silent witnesses to the evolution of humans and life in prehistoric times. A UNESCO World Heritage site located in Sragen, Central Java, Indonesia, this place allows visitors to witness firsthand the Sangiran Homo erectus 17 (S-17), a unique Homo erectus fossil, known as the only fossil in Asia that still retains a “face” when it was first discovered.
Under the management of the Indonesian Heritage Agency (IHA), the Early Man Museum is divided into several clusters, including Krikilan, Ngebung, Bukuran, Manyarejo, and Dayu. Each cluster presents a part of the grand journey of human evolution in the archipelago. Through the oldest artifacts and fossils in Indonesia, visitors are invited to explore stories about how our ancestors adapted, evolved, and interacted with their environment.
Therefore, visiting the Sangiran Early Man Museum is not only an educational journey but also a spiritual experience that connects us with the past, honoring the footprints of early humans who have shaped our present civilization.
