The activity “Socialization of Archaeological Research Results in Kalumpang Sub-district, Mamuju Regency, West Sulawesi” was the final part of delineation activities in preparation for the establishment of the location of ODCB findings into CB. This activity consisted of four presentation sessions and ended with a discussion session. Two presentation materials were the presentation of research results in Kalumpang, especially the latest findings, one material about the condition of Kalumpang’s natural environment and its potential as a “Geoheritage Park”, and one material from the aspect of protection of Suspected Cultural Heritage Objects. The material presented by Dr. Anggraeni, M.A., entitled “Minanga Sipakko (Sitokon) and Palemba Sites Evidence of Cultural Development in Karama Valley, Kalumpang District”. In the question and answer session at the end of the socialization, there were many questions and inputs from the participants. One of the traditional leaders suggested changing the name of the Minanga Sipakko Site to Sitokon Site which is better known by the local community, while another participant who is a teacher suggested that socialization activities could be carried out every year.

Considering that among the participants were teachers and junior high school students, after the socialization event was closed, Dr. Anggraeni, M.A. conducted an interview with one of the teachers and junior high school students to inform them about the book “Kalumpang Pottery Product Design Development Module Based on Archaeological Remains”. The book was prepared to provide an example to revive the enthusiasm of potters in Kalumpang District to produce. The skills still possessed by potters in Lebani Hamlet are threatened with extinction if there is no next generation. Therefore, teachers and students are encouraged to become agents of pottery product design development so that pottery-making skills can be preserved. In this case, the inspiration for the development of ornamental varieties comes from the remains of decorated pottery found in archaeological sites in the Kalumpang District area. The role of teachers and students from Kalumpang is to bridge and ensure that the modules and prototype examples of decorated pottery that have been prepared can really be useful and inspire an increase in the variety of pottery products.

This effort was taken considering that Kalumpang teachers and students are the ones who can continuously provide assistance. Meanwhile, researchers can only occasionally be present to assist and evaluate the results of pottery product development. Teachers and students are also expected to serve as intermediaries between producers and consumers. Without consumers, the productivity of potters would not be maintained and developed.

Wednesday, May 8, 2024, Archaeology students of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM conducted a field study activity with a visit to Istura Gedung Agung or known as the Presidential Palace of Yogyakarta. As a fulfillment of the mandatory Basic Conservation and Restoration course, this visit involved two batches of Archaeology students, Class of 2021 and Class of 2022, totaling more than 70 students who were guided by the Head of the UGM Archaeology Department, Dr. Mahirta, MA… The students each departed and arrived at the location at 08.30 WIB to gather and give directions by the mentors and instructors regarding matters that need to be considered during the visit.

The tour of the visiting group began with an introduction to the outside of the complex building around Istura Gedung Agung such as the guesthouse and the main building of Istura Gedung Agung along with a brief introduction to the three main rooms where the President welcomed guests. Next, the group of students was directed to the museum building, the Yogyakarta Presidential Palace Museum, to conduct an exclusive tour of the museum’s historical object collections with the art object management guide of the Yogyakarta Presidential Palace Museum, Theresa Sekar Wening, who is also an alumni of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Undergraduate Study Program.

While visiting the museum, the group was shown collections of art objects painted by famous artists such as expressionism or abstract paintings by painter Affandi Koesoema as well as a number of ceramic pottery artifacts, necklaces, and others. Not only seeing paintings and historical artifacts, the students also analyzed the conservation methods and techniques of historical objects according to the objectives of the courses studied. Through interactive museum visits, students are expected to gain knowledge that can be practiced when managing historical and archaeological objects as part of museum management.

Saturday, May 25, 2024, the UGM Archaeology Student Association (HIMA), Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, held a 2024 Dialogue Room Webinar on Gender Archaeology with a sub-theme entitled, “Gender Studies Based on Archaeological Findings” which is open to the public. This webinar was guided by Haybah Shabira as the Moderator of the activity and two special resource persons, namely UGM Archaeology Lecturer, Dr. Mimi Savitri, M.A. and Archaeological Researcher at Pura Mangkunegaran, Tyassanti Kusumo Dewanti, M.A., who has a number of experiences and contributions in gender archaeological studies. This activity aims to increase the knowledge of archaeology students and the general public about the position or division of roles of people in the past, both men and women in living their daily lives in the social, economic, or political fields. The study is based on archaeological data findings in the form of reliefs, inscriptions, or ancient manuscripts.

The activity session was opened with remarks from the Advisor of HIMA UGM, Drs. Musadad, M.Hum., who paid attention to the importance of gender studies in the discovery of archaeological remains in the role and duties in the scope of society. Followed by the delivery of the first material given by Dr. Mimi Savitri, M.A., as an introduction and opening material to get to know more about gender archaeological studies in the discovery of archaeological remains. The next material was presented by Tyassanti Kusumo Dewanti, M.A., explaining previous research on the position and role of women in history, domination and power relations in 9th and 10th century Java, and evidence of the role of women based on findings in the inscription text. After the presentation ended, a question and answer session was opened to the webinar participants.

It is hoped that this Dialogue Room Webinar can be a forum for the general public and archaeology students to discuss and find out what archaeological issues are and be useful for prospective archaeologists if they face the same problems.

On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, held a Technical Guidance on Preparation for Submitting Articles to Scientific Journals in collaboration with the Association of Indonesian Archaeologists (IAAI) Regional Commissariat of IAAI Yogyakarta Special Region-Central Java Province. The technical guidance aims to prepare technical drafts of prospective articles for undergraduate and postgraduate students and participants from IAAI to be submitted to scientific journals. The agenda of the activity is divided into two sessions, namely Session 1: Janus Journal Article Structure (OJS submission process) by facilitator Adwidya Susila Yoga, S.Pd., Session 2: Article Review (discussion of articles per author) by facilitator Dr. Daud Aris Tanudirjo, MA…

In his presentation at the Article Review session, Dr. Daud Aris Tanudirjo, MA, as the facilitator of the activity session presented material on matters that need to be considered in writing and preparing articles before submission for publication in scientific journals. On this occasion, he emphasized that the quality of written work depends on the mastery of understanding scientific article materials, the ability to structure ideas, how to formulate problems well, and how to convey objectives clearly. The role of keywords in the structural parts of scientific journals such as abstracts must also be considered with the presentation of sentences, a maximum limit of two hundred words, and the content of a complete concise report as an outline of the main content of the article.

The presentation of the article review session also provided examples of scientific articles as material for discussion studies. “Actually, it will be more interesting so that it can arouse a certain curiosity if there is a new element, whether it is an improvement or whether it is a development,” said Dr. Daud Aris Tanudirjo, MA.

On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, the Archaeology Student Association (HIMA UGM), Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, through the Community Service Division held the Archaeology Goes To School #1 work program, which is an introduction to archaeology by providing material exposure and games related to archaeology to students of SMP Negeri 2 Ngaglik, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region Province. This activity also collaborates with Mandira Brick, as a maker of disassembly game products in the form of miniature temples as educational games for the general public, including students. The activity took place from 10:00 WIB – 12:00 WIB and was two-way interactive interspersed with question and answer sessions and game sessions that divided students in a class into six groups to develop a miniature temple disassembly game.

The activity began with an opening session in a classroom of SMP Negeri 2 Ngaglik with a warm welcome by HIMA UGM students to students. This was followed by a general introduction session about UGM Archaeology and information about the HIMA UGM organization. As for the session after the general introduction, it continued with the presentation of material about Classical Archaeology with the aim of introducing students to restoration and conservation in the treatment of cultural heritage.

“Since our audience is junior high school students, we provide quite basic material about restoration, conservation, the restoration process and how to care for cultural heritage buildings, especially temple buildings. So we provide materials, such as: “The definition of restoration and conservation followed by the process of restoration activities in stages, ending with how to care for the restored temple so that it remains sustainable,” said Arya Sena Prasetio, Chief Executive of Archaeology Goes To School # 1 from the Community Service Division of HIMA UGM, explaining the reason for the presentation of material on Classical Archaeology.

After the material presentation session and interactive question and answer session ended, the students were divided into six groups of five people each to play with the miniature Sukuh Temple and Ratu Boko Temple presented by the Mandira Brick team. Six sets of Mandira disassembly toys were assembled by each group, guided by HIMA UGM students in the process. The toys were then given to the school of SMP Negeri 2 Ngaglik as a continuation of temple restoration and conservation lessons as a means of further learning. The event then ended with a photo documentation session with the students and closing by HIMA UGM students and the Mandira Brick team accompanied by a symbolic plaque and Mandira toys.

“Hopefully with the implementation of Archaeology Goes To School, it can introduce archaeology to school children and provide broader insights into the importance of cultural heritage, as well as motivate students to study more diligently with the existence of new learning media through Mandira Brick,” said Sena about his expectations from the activity