Yogyakarta, 26 October 2026 — The Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association (IPPA) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to studying archaeology and other related fields in the Indo-Pacific region. Since its founding more than fifty years ago, IPPA has grown into a large community of academics and practitioners from more than 40 countries.
This year, IPPA will hold its 23rd Congress from 1–7 November 2026 at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Yogyakarta. This international congress, organized collaboratively by the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and the Cultural Affairs Office of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (Kundha Kabudayan) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, will bring together approximately 880 participants from 42 countries.
Indonesia previously hosted the 14th IPPA Congress in Yogyakarta in 1990, under the leadership of the late Prof. R.P. Soejono. Hosting the congress in Yogyakarta once again is part of Indonesia’s continued contribution to the development of prehistoric studies and the broader field of archaeology in the Indo-Pacific region. Hosting it in Yogyakarta is also an opportunity to introduce the richness of Indonesia’s cultural heritage to the international community. The IPPA President for the 2024–2028 period, Prof. Anggraeni, stated that Indonesia is honored to have been chosen once again as host of the IPPA congress.
By holding the congress regularly, IPPA seeks to sustain knowledge exchange, promote cooperation in the study of prehistory, proto-history, historical archaeology, civilizations, cultural heritage, and the advancement of culture in the Indo-Pacific region, and uphold standards of research ethics. The series of activities at the 23rd Congress of the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association, which will run for seven days with scientific and cultural agendas, will serve as an international scientific forum for discussion, knowledge exchange, and strengthened cooperation.
The 23rd IPPA Congress will begin with a workshop on 1 November 2026 covering geographic information systems, geochronology, bioarchaeology, zooarchaeology, microscopic analysis, and cultural heritage, held at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM.
On 2 November 2026, the Opening Ceremony and Gala Dinner will be held at Grha Sabha Pramana. The opening ceremony will be attended by several VIP guests, including the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. (Hons) Dr. H. Fadli Zon, S.S., M.Sc., the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, and the Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K), Ph.D.
The scientific agenda, in the form of presentations and discussions, will be held on 3, 4, 6, and 7 November 2026 at the Soegondo Building, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, and the University Club Hotel. Participants, consisting of researchers, academics, practitioners, students, and cultural enthusiasts from 42 countries, will present the results of their work in 8 parallel discussion sessions, as well as in a poster exhibition. This congress will cover a wide range of current archaeological topics and issues in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
On 5 November 2026, participants will join the Mid Conference Tour to cultural heritage and archaeological sites, namely Borobudur Temple, the Liyangan Site, the Prambanan and Plaosan Temple Complexes, and the Sangiran Early Man Site. The congress will close on 7 November 2026 at the University Club Hotel.
Alongside the congress, there will also be a book exhibition by reputable publishers and journals from Indonesia and abroad (including PT Kompas Gramedia, Frontiers Media, Periplus, and the journals Antiquity and Asian Perspective), as well as exhibitions of field and laboratory equipment, batik and lurik, and culinary offerings.
Through academic forums, knowledge exchange, and visits to archaeological sites, the congress is expected to broaden understanding of the development of past societies and cultures in the Indo-Pacific region. The event is also expected to create space for interaction between the international scientific community and Indonesia’s cultural heritage, while strengthening collaborative networks for the future development of archaeological research and cultural heritage.
Further information about IPPA Congress 2026 can be found at:
