via Dayak Daily, 28 November 2023: Two Orang Ulu parangs, initially taken by Brooke administrative officer nearly a century ago, have been returned to Sarawak. These parangs, part of a larger collection of 43 Bornean objects repatriated this year, reflect the Sarawak Museum Department's commitment to preserving cultural heritage.Part-time job opportunity at SOAS on the Arts of Southeast Asia module. Closing date is 8 December 2023.via Phnom Penh Post, 28 November 2023: The fifth anniversary of the inscription of Lkhon Khol Wat Svay Andet on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding is celebrated today. This traditional Cambodian masked theatre, recognized for its cultural significance and role in ritual practices related to rice farming and community prosperity, has been acknowledged by former Prime Minister Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet.via The Nation, 28 November 2023: The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) and the Fine Arts Department have collaborated to transform Ayutthaya into a golden city of lights, using thousands of energy-efficient LED bulbs. This initiative not only enhances the night-time beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage site but also aims to boost tourism. Thousands of […]via Vietnam Net, 27 November 2023: The Vietnam National Museum of History is showcasing "Dong Son Echoes from the Past," a unique exhibition of Dong Son culture artifacts, celebrating a century since its discovery. Highlighting Vietnam's rich historical tapestry, this exhibition presents artifacts from the Bronze Age, including tools, jewelry, and the renowned bronze drums, known for their intricate craftsmanship and importance in Vietnamese heritage. Recent archaeological findings, like the largest fragments of Dong Son drum molds, underscore the culture's advanced metallurgical skills and enduring influence.via Archaeological Research in Asia, December 2023: Paper by Shaw et al. reports on radiocarbon dates at the Đầu Rằm site in northern Vietnam to the first half of the 2nd millennium BCE, demonstrating its contemporaneity with the better-known nephrite manufacturing site of Tràng Kênh. This discovery at Đầu Rằm, a site specializing in nephrite jewellery production, indicates standardized techniques in ring production existed during this era. The findings suggest that Đầu Rằm and Tràng Kênh were part of a broader, complex trade and exchange network in northern Vietnam around 4000 years ago.via OneEsports, 26 November 2023: An Indonesian Minecrafter recreated the Borobudur Temple, showcasing exceptional talent in one of the world's most successful games. The process shared on YouTube, involved over 60 hours of meticulous building and material sourcing, highlighting Indonesia's presence among global Minecraft builders.via Vietnam Plus, 25 November 2023: The Museum of Cham Sculpture in Da Nang, showcasing Cham culture and art from the 5th to 15th century, has been recognized as a historical relic site. Housing thousands of artifacts, including six national treasures and unique displays of Cham towers and French architecture, the museum plays a vital role in preserving and promoting the region's ancient heritage.via New Straits Times, 24 November 2023: Two shipwrecks found in the South China Sea, dating back to the Ming Dynasty, provide significant insights into commercial and cultural exchanges along the ancient Maritime Silk Road. The underwater archaeological explorations, a collaborative effort led by various Chinese institutions, uncovered nearly 600 artifacts, including pottery and porcelain from Jingdezhen. These findings, enhanced by advanced techniques like 3D photography and laser scanning, highlight the prosperity of private maritime trade during the Ming Dynasty and contribute to understanding China's historical maritime civilization and porcelain-making history.via Khmer Times, 24 November 2023: The Department of Cultural Development of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts is hosting a photo exhibition titled “Looking back over the past 3 decades Angkor” at the Khmer Kite Museum in Phnom Penh, from December 1-15. This exhibition, marking the 31st anniversary of Angkor Wat's inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List, will feature 62 photographs by renowned Japanese photographers, including Baku Saito. Saito's extensive photographic collection showcases the intricate art and architecture of Angkor Wat, previously displayed at the UN headquarters in New York and recognized as a valuable resource for research.The Hanoi Museum, in collaboration with the Hanoi Fossil Museum, is hosting the "History of Earth Formation through a Fossil Collection" exhibition, featuring a vast array of fossils dating back millions of years. These specimens, deemed of high historical and scientific value, help reconstruct the ancient world and are complemented by a 3D mapping room using virtual reality to depict the earth's formation. This exhibition, part of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023, reinforces the museum's commitment to integrating creative activities into cultural experiences.via Vietnam Express, 24 November 2023: Architectural experts are urging the conservation of Hanoi's remaining industrial heritage buildings, with half of the original 185 structures already lost. The call for preservation includes buildings from various periods, including the French colonial era, highlighting their significance as historical and cultural landmarks. Suggestions include creating criteria for assessment and preservation, developing specific penalties for misuse, and incorporating these sites into urban development plans, as well as amending Vietnam's Cultural Heritage Law to better protect these industrial legacies.via Khmer Times, 24 November 2023: The Western Causeway of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, a crucial entrance for visitors to reach the central spire, has been reopened after extensive restoration work. This causeway, historically prone to collapse and repeated repairs, is now accessible to both local and foreign tourists. The restoration marks a significant milestone in preserving and enhancing access to this iconic Cambodian heritage site.via Khmer Times, 24 November 2023: The Department of Research, Training, and Communication of the Apsara Authority is hosting an exhibition at the Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum, showcasing 18 metal and ceramic artifacts from the West Mebon Temple. These artifacts, including bronze, copper, iron pieces, and a porcelain Buddha statue, were unearthed during archaeological excavations from 2012 to 2018. Key highlights include pieces dating back to the reigns of King Suryavarman I and King Udayadityavarman II, offering a glimpse into the Angkorian era's artistic and cultural heritage.via Khmer Times, 25 November 2023: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet congratulated Angkor Wat on becoming the world's eighth wonder, a title recently bestowed by the Times of India Travel, surpassing Italy's Pompeii.via Annual Review of Anthropology, October 2023: This review by Abraham highlights the integration of South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Red Sea region, the Arab-Persian Gulf, and East and Southern Africa in complex maritime-based networks. New archaeological findings and material evidence, including ceramics, glass, and metal artifacts, challenge traditional interpretations and offer deeper insights into the ancient maritime relations of these interconnected areas.via Quaternary Science Reviews, 15 December 2023: Recent dating advancements have significantly altered our understanding of human evolution in Southeast Asia. Notably, Homo floresiensis, discovered in Liang Bua, has been re-dated to over 60,000 years ago, much older than the initially estimated 18,000 years. This finding resolves debates about their survival alongside Homo sapiens. Additionally, Homo luzonensis, from the site of Callao, has been dated to a minimum age of 134,000 years, spanning the transition from the Marine Isotope Stages 6 to 5. These findings not only push back the timelines of these ancient human species but also provide new perspectives on their existence and adaptation in the region.via various sources, 23 November 2023: Vietnam was elected as a member of the World Heritage Committee for the 2023-27 term, achieving the highest number of votes among Asia-Pacific states. The election, part of the 24th session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention in Paris, highlights Vietnam's growing influence in global cultural diplomacy and its commitment to heritage conservation and sustainable development.via Khmer Times, 23 November 2023: The United States has pledged ongoing support for Cambodia's cultural preservation, including the return of historically significant artifacts. This commitment was reinforced during a meeting between U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia Patrick Murphy and Cambodian officials, emphasizing a desire to enhance bilateral cooperation and cultural heritage promotion.via World Archaeology, 23 November 2023: Sanxingdui, once among the greatest Bronze Age metropolises in Southeast Asia, has captivated archaeologists with its startling artifacts, including deliberately damaged treasures hinting at ritualistic practices. Rediscovered in the 1980s, the site's excavated objects, such as bronze masks and unique sculptures, reflect a distinct worldview and advanced craftsmanship.via Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 22 November 2023: The 2017 excavation at Asitau Kuru on Timor-Leste offers vital insights into early human behavior, tracing back 44,000 years. This site is notable for its extensive collection of marine shell artifacts, which significantly contribute to our understanding of the cultural sophistication of the earliest Homo sapiens in Southeast Asia. Paper by Langley et al.via Vietnam Express, 21 November 2023: The Military Command in Quang Tri, with assistance from the U.S.-based Golden West Organization, successfully neutralized two wartime bombs, following tips from locals. The operation involved the careful disarming of a 340 kg M177 bomb and a 230 kg MK82 bomb.UNESCO, along with ICCROM, ICOMOS, and IUCN, has released the Enhanced Our Heritage Toolkit 2.0, a comprehensive self-assessment methodology designed to improve the management of World Heritage properties. via Quaternary Science Advances, January 2024: Another paper by Samper Carro et al. on the Matja Kuru 2 cave in Timor-Leste which offers crucial insights into the region's occupation dynamics from the Late Pleistocene to the late Holocene. MK2's archaeological assemblage includes stone, ochre, shell, and bone artifacts, alongside vertebrate and invertebrate remains. Complex cave deposit challenges and a lack of clear stratigraphy are addressed using spatial distribution methods and GIS analysis. The study reveals significant shifts in subsistence and social behavior over time, from intense use around 38,000 to 35,000 years ago to changes in the Neolithic period marked by pottery and domestic animals.