Stone-expert Mission in Borobudur World Heritage Site

In consultation with the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia and the World Heritage Centre, a technical mission was organized on Borobudur World Heritage Site from 27 September to 7 October 2006. Italian stone-expert Prof. Costantino Meucci inspected the site in collaboration with the team of conservationists from the Borobudur Heritage Conservation Institute.

Despite the great efforts made over the years for the conservation of the stones, the monitoring programme conducted by the Borobudur Heritage Conservation Institute has shown that the rate of material deterioration of the stone continues to increase, especially as far as scaling is concerned (but also alveolization and cementation). Even if a large part of this deterioration of the stone is natural and cannot be stopped, it seems that it could be reduced by more adapted maintenance practices and treatments on the site.

The Mission hence aimed at reviewing the current methodology of stone conservation at Borobudur Complex and designing new activities for monitoring and research. Prof. Costantino Meucci observed the deterioration of the stones onsite and had the opportunity to analyse samples in the laboratories of the Borobudur Heritage Conservation Institute.

During his mission, Prof. Meucci also inspected recently earthquake-affected Prambanan World Heritage Compounds and Taman Sari Water Castle in Yogyakarta and gave advice to the local authorities for the emergency protection and rehabilitation of these sites.

UNESCO has been actively involved in safeguarding the Borobudur World Heritage Site since 1973. Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1991, Borobudur is one of seven World Heritage Sites in Indonesia. It is our duty to continue to raise international awareness, not only to preserve this outstanding masterpiece and to treasure it for future generations to come, but also to do it justice, by teaching others to appreciate and understand its significance and artistic beauty.

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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.

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Earthquake Rehabilitation

International Experts Meeting for the Rehabilitation of Earthquake-affected Prambanan World Heritage Site and Taman Sari Water Castle, 5-8 March 2007 - Yogyakarta, Indonesia

(Date: March 7, 2007) PRESS RELEASE International Experts Meeting for the Rehabilitation of Earthquake-affected Prambanan World Heritage Site and Taman Sari Water Castle, 5-8 March 2007 - Yogyakarta, Indonesia Jakarta, 5 March 2007 - An International Experts Meeting on the rehabilitation of earthquake-affected Prambanan World Heritage Site and Taman Sari Water Castle is currently gathering international and national experts in Yogyakarta (from 5-8 March 2007) in order to prepare an integrated action plan for the post-earthquake recovery and rehabilitation works at these important cultural sites. This meeting is organized jointly by UNESCO Office, Jakarta and the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, with the funding support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The opening ceremony, which gathered this morning about 100 guests in Hotel Grand Mercure, started with a special message from the Governor of the Special Province of Yogyakarta, H.E. Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, which was read on his behalf by Mr Sunyoto, who welcomed all the participants to Yogyakarta, the Heart of Java, wishing that the cultural atmosphere of the city would bring success to the meeting, working hands in hands for the cultural heritage of Yogyakarta, which he described as the component of the society ensuring its sustainability. During the occasion, Mr Richard Engelhardt, UNESO Regional Advisor for Culture in Asia and the Pacific, delivered the message from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Paris. He recalled the importance of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (1972), which has become the leading international framework for the conservation of cultural heritage. The 183 Member States signatory to this Convention have inscribed 830 sites (natural and cultural) worldwide and have committed themselves to work together for the protection of this shared outstanding heritage. “That is why the very presence of several countries in this meeting is a good example of this World Heritage Spirit in which countries come together to support a shared responsibility to safeguard the World Heritage sites” Mr Engelhardt stated. Mr Hubert J. Gijzen, the Director of UNESCO Office, Jakarta, recalled the UNESCO activities in response of the earthquake, implemented in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism, and especially the two Archaeological Site Offices, directly responsible for the on-site recovery works. He stressed that “UNESCO would continue to assist the Indonesian authorities and the people of Yogyakarta in their efforts to safeguard the rich cultural heritage of Yogyakarta, the Cultural Hub of Indonesia”. He also recalled the International safeguarding Campaign for Borobudur World Heritage site launched in the early 1970’s and suggested the similar coordinated effort should be made to ensure the full restoration and sustainable management of the Prambanan World Heritage site and Taman Sari Water Castle. Speaking on behalf of the Ambassador of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Jakarta, Mr Ahmad Kattouah, First Secretary, commended the works that are being carried out in Prambanan World Heritage site and Taman Sari Water Castle. Mr Arief Rachman, Executive Chairman of the Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO, stressed on the importance of socializing the results of the meeting. He continued: “we need to strengthen the philosophical, religious and social values behind these cultural sites, which inspire our sense our harmony. Most important is the socialization to the national and local authorities to ensure that in the future any plan to improve the site will be based on the results of this International Experts Meeting, under the coordination of the Indonesian authorities and under the guidance of UNESCO”. Finally, Mr Hari Untoro Dradjat, Director-General for History and Archaeology, read the message from the Minister for Culture and Tourism, which expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its funding support which enabled the International Experts Meeting to be organized. He also thanked the Japanese team of experts sent by the Government of Japan who are undertaking a three-week technical research in Prambanan World Heritage site. He then welcomed all the experts from Indonesia, Australia, China, India, Italy, Japan and the United States, who are gathering to build together the comprehensive action plan for rehabilitation of the earthquake-affected sites. It is hoped that this meeting will result in the elaboration of a comprehensive action plan for the rehabilitation of the earthquake-affected Prambanan World Heritage site and Taman Sari Water Castle, as well as in developing partnerships for future works. For further information, please contact: Department of Culture and Tourism Directorate General of History and Archaeology, Department of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia Kompleks Depdiknas Ged. E Lt. 11 Jl. Jend. Sudirman, Senayan, Jakarta 10270 Telp. +62 21 5725048 www.budpar.go.id Contact Person in Jakarta: Drs. Soeroso M.Hum, Director for Archaeological Heritage E-mail: soeroso@bit.net.id UNESCO Office, Jakarta Jln. Galuh (II) No.5, Kebayoran Baru Jakarta 12110, INDONESIA Telp : +62 21 7399818 Fax : +62 21 72796489 www.unesco.or.id Contact in Jakarta: Himalchuli Gurung, Programme Specialist for Culture E-mail: h.gurung@unesco.org

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