Interdisciplinary research in Prambanan

Interdisciplinary research in Prambanan World Heritage Compounds and Taman Sari Water Castle in Yogyakarta.

(Date: February 6, 2007) Within the framework of the project entitled “Protection and Rehabilitation of Cultural Heritage in the Earthquake-affected areas of the Special Province of Yogyakarta and the Province of Central Java” funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UNESCO Office, Jakarta in close collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism, is currently implementing two major interdisciplinary research programmes in Prambanan World Heritage Compounds (including Lumbung and Sewu Temples) and Taman Sari Water Castle, which have been affected by the 27 May 2006 earthquake in the region. The aim of the research, which involves archeologists, civil engineers, architects, geologists and other experts from Indonesia, is to assist the Government of Indonesia in the safeguarding of cultural heritage of Yogyakarta and Central Java affected by the earthquake, especially by identifying the deep causes of the damages and by giving technical recommendations to address them for the long-term rehabilitation efforts. This comprehensive research programme that started in December 2006 runs until March 2007 and is implemented in cooperation with the Archaeological Site offices of Yogyakarta Special Province and Central Java Province (under the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia), as well as experts from the University of Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta. In Prambanan World Heritage Compounds, the research focuses on the structure of the temple through geo-electric and soil mechanical analyses in order to better understand the strength of the soil under the structure. Geo-radar analysis will enable to know the structure inside the temple, while the geomorphology study will describe the level of seismic activity in the surrounding area. Finally, excavations are conduced to know the structure of the lower part of the Temples. According to Dra. Ari Setyastuti, the Unit Head for Prambanan in the Archaeological Site: ‘The research that is being conducted by the Archaeological Office in Yogyakarta with the support from UNESCO is very useful for us to know the damage of the structure of Prambanan and its core. It’s actually a comprehensive research conducted after the past earthquake and it will constitute a positive contribution for further rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, so that we know what must be done’. In Lumbung and Sewu Temples, which are part of the Prambanan World Heritage Compounds, the Archaeological Site Office of the Central Java Province has organized a local expert meeting in order to present the preliminary research results on 10 January 2007. For the time being, research in Sewu Temple has identified concrete cracks inside the structure. Drs. Gutomo, as the project coordinator of Sewu Temple research from the Archaeological Site Office, highlighted the importance of the research supported by UNESCO Office, Jakarta in finding the appropriate technology for the reconstruction of Sewu Temple. In Taman Sari Water Castle, the multidiscipline approach is also very useful to identify new treatments for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the site, as stated by Drs. Tri Hartono M.Hum, the Unit Head for Taman Sari Water Castle in the Archaeological Site Office of the Special Province of Yogyakarta. The reinforcement of “Gapuro Agung” (See photo) is also ongoing process, as part of the emergency recovery works after the seism. The findings of the research programmes in the three sites will be presented by the Indonesian authorities and experts during the International Expert Meeting on the Rehabilitation of quake-affected Prambanan World Heritage Compounds and Taman Sari Water Castle which will be held in Yogyakarta from 5-8 March 2007, with the participation of national and international experts. This International Experts Meeting will finalize the technical recommendations and an integrated action plan for the rehabilitation efforts in these important cultural heritage sites. For further information about the project, please contact Ms Himalchuli Gurung, Programme Specialist for Culture in UNESCO Office, Jakarta or Mr Adi Prasetijo, Project Coordinator based in Yogyakarta.

Posted in: Borobudur, earthquake, Prambanan, Temple