SEAMEO-SPAFA Publication: "Advancing Southeast Asian Archaeology"

SEAMEO-SPAFA, a regional centre established by SEAMEO (Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization) to study archaeology and fine arts, has recently published the proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Southeast Asian Archaeology, held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2016. The 2nd International Conference on Southeast Asian Archaeology was organised to recognise a growing interest in the archaeology of Southeast Asia, to further advance archaeological research, exchanges of new knowledge and stimulate the growth of fresh generations of students and teachers in archaeology and related fields. The Southeast Asian region is deep in history. It has always been a hub of global exchanges of goods, people, and ideas that still need armies of scholars to unearth hidden knowledge of the past that would become relevant to the present. The resulting collection of papers represents SEAMEO SPAFA’s continuing commitment to encourage the dissemination of scholarly knowledge on the Archaeology of Southeast Asia. It includes the keynote speeches by Asst. Prof. Saritpong Khunsong (Silpakorn University) and Dr Mahirta (Universitas Gadjah Mada) and the various country reports outlining archaeological activities undertaken between 2013-2015, a unique feature of SEAMEO SPAFA’s conferences. Various other papers included in the volume represent the breadth of research undertaken in the region, that include bio-archaeological analyses, satellite and aerial image analyses and regional investigations into the past. SEAMEO SPAFA continues to support the training in and the sharing of information on underwater archaeology and cultural heritage conservation. Various papers show that archaeologists have vital roles to play in the universal efforts to protect all forms of tangible cultural heritage. The 2016 Conference also included two new features: a lecture by Dr Wannasarn Noonsuk in the Thai language on the international status of Southeast Asian archaeological studies for Thai audience and a post-conference Writers’ Workshop on preparing research for publication. The Third Conference of this series is planned for 2019. Proceedings of the conference, entitled Advancing Southeast Asian Archaeology 2016, are available in both physical and digital format. Limited numbers of the physical book are available for purchase, whereas the digital version is available for free download via http://www.seameo-spafa.org/new-spafa-publication-advancing-southeast-asian-archaeology-2016/