This session focuses on the professional, legal, and social dimensions of archaeological practice in both Southeast Asia and Europe. It aims to encourage dialogue, exchange, and mutual learning while strengthening professional and methodological ties. Presentations will address comparative experiences and innovations in fieldwork, site management, heritage protection, and community engagement.
Topics include:
I. Methodologies and Innovations
II. Heritage Conservation and Management
III. Museums and Public Archaeology
I. Methodologies and Innovations
Archaeological Metal Detector Surveys: Scientific Potential and Applications
Péter Kovács
Damjanich János Museum, Hungary
The involvement of ‘civilian’ enthusiasts in the archaeological work in Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County started in 2015 as a response to an increasingly growing public interest: more and more people, including amateurs devoted to the research of the past, enquired about the possibilities of participating in projects (primarily metal detector surveys) organised by the museum. The almost whole decade of joint work yielded many important results, the presentation of which would exceed the frame of this paper; thus, Celtic enamel brooches, a type of finds considered rare earlier, were chosen to be its focus. Metal detector surveys have yielded altogether 17 specimens of this type so far; the GPS coordinates of their findspots have also been recorded. Ten of these have already been published in previous studies (F. Kovács 2020; 2021), but seven more have been added to our collection since the last overview. This unexpected abundance may contribute to improving our understanding of the Late Iron Age connection network of the Middle Tisza Region and to assessing this find type correctly.
Decoding the Past through Advanced Analysis:
The Growing Role of Multi-Analytical Methods in Indonesian Archaeology
Moh Mualliful Ilmi
Research Center for Archaeometry, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN)
In recent years, archaeological research in Indonesia has witnessed a growing interest in the use of advanced scientific multi-analytical methods. These approaches are becoming essential for understanding archaeological materials beyond traditional stylistic analysis—revealing their elemental composition, raw material sources, production technologies, use-wear patterns, and the complex processes of degradation and alteration in tropical environments. Over the last decade, such methods have been increasingly applied to Indonesian pigment materials, providing new insights into the technological choices and cultural practices of past societies.
This presentation highlights the remarkable outcomes achieved through the combined use of multi-analytical methods utilizing optical microscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, laboratory and synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and synchrotron Micro-SR-XRD imaging. These techniques have been successfully employed to determine the composition and weathering processes of Indonesian prehistoric rock art sites, reconstruct decorative technologies of ancient pottery, and demonstrate the continuity of inorganic pigment use in Buddhist painted inscriptions, among other applications. Looking ahead, the increasing accessibility and interdisciplinary collaboration surrounding these methods suggest that multi-analytical approaches will soon become standard practice in archaeological research across Indonesia, strengthening both scholarly understanding and the scientific preservation of Indonesian cultural heritage.
II. Heritage Conservation and Management
Archaeological heritage courses at ELTE:
Raising Awareness and Engaging Students
Alexandra Anders
Head of Department of Archaeometry, Archaeological Heritage and Methodology
Institute of Archaeological Sciences
Eötvös Loránd University
The Institute of Archaeological Sciences at ELTE University in Budapest, established in 1777, is one of Hungary's oldest higher education institutions. The field of archaeology is internationally recognized in university rankings as well. Since 2018, a new specialization, Archaeological Heritage Studies, has been available to MA students. This specialization, unique in Hungary and the region, aims to train professionals who are not only capable of recognizing and defining archaeological heritage but also managing and interpreting it for a wider audience.
Archaeological Heritage Studies focuses on the material remains of human activity in the past and explores the relationship between the past and the present. Key questions addressed in this field include: How is archaeological heritage defined by international legislation? Who has the right to own and control the material remains of past societies? How should these remains be protected? How can we interpret archaeological heritage for a broader audience and enhance their ability to experience it firsthand? In addition to lectures, seminars are held where students can directly explore archaeological heritage sites.
In the presentation, I will discuss the four-semester curriculum of the specialization, highlight some student projects, and showcase Hungarian and international collaborations (such as with the MATE Institute of Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, and Garden Art, Erasmus+, and CHARM EU) in which our students actively participate. Through a project-based approach, archaeology students are trained to become responsible professionals dedicated to the protection and management of archaeological heritage, through best practices.
Developing Traditional Knowledge-Based
Conservation of Cultural Heritage Materials in Indonesia
Nahar Cahyandaru
Head of the XXIII Cultural Preservation Center, Ministry of Culture
Indonesia is a country with an extraordinary abundance of cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible. Its long history and vast geographical reach have resulted in immense cultural diversity. Cultural heritage that has survived to this day constitutes a valuable cultural heritage. On the other hand, it also faces serious conservation challenges, requiring continuous development to ensure effective preservation efforts. Scientifically, conservation still largely adopts techniques used in developed countries, although these are not always appropriate for Indonesian conditions.
Developing conservation based on traditional wisdom in Indonesia is a rational and important option to prioritize. In reality, many objects from the past coexist simultaneously with the knowledge necessary for their conservation. For example, traditional heirloom care practices are still practiced today, as is the woodwork of ancient houses. These practices need to be studied in more depth and developed into conservation methods, supported by scientific evidence and credible laboratory testing. Studies using the latest laboratory instrumentation provide the foundation for developing conservation based on traditional wisdom in Indonesia.
III. Museums and Public Archaeology
Unearthing Agency: The Evolving Social Impact of Museum and Public
Archaeology in the Philippines
Marie Grace Pamela G. Faylona (1,2,3)
1. Department of Sociology and Behavioral Sciences, De La Salle University-Manila
2. College of Advanced Studies, Philippine Normal University-Manila
3. Department of Anthropology, University of the Philippines-Diliman
For much of the 20th century, archaeology in the Philippines was interpreted through a hegemonic, colonial lens—most notably the "Wave Migration Theory"—which frequently alienated local communities from their own heritage. Historical narratives were often constructed by foreign academics or Manila-centric institutions, treating indigenous groups as passive subjects of migration rather than active agents of cultural evolution. However, over the last two decades, a paradigmatic shift has occurred towards public archaeology and inclusive museum practices. This paper examines the social implications of this transition, analyzing how museums and archaeological projects have evolved from extractive scientific endeavors into pivotal sites for identity construction, civic engagement, and decolonization.
The study traces the trajectory from mid-20th-century "salvage archaeology"—focused primarily on rescuing artifacts for display—to contemporary, community-led initiatives. This shift is exemplified by three critical case studies that demonstrate distinct facets of social engagement.
First, the Ifugao Archaeological Project (IAP) serves as a primary model for decolonizing history. By applying radiocarbon dating and paleoethnobotanical analysis, the IAP challenged the colonial narrative that the Rice Terraces were built 2,000 years ago by migrants. Instead, findings suggest a later construction (post-1600s) as an economic response to Spanish colonization. This scientific validation of indigenous oral history reframes the terraces not as a product of passive migration, but as a monument to indigenous resistance and ingenuity, fundamentally altering how the Ifugao community views their ancestral landscape.
Second, the Cagayan Archaeological Heritage Project highlights the importance of inclusivity in deep-time archaeology. In a region famous for the discovery of Homo luzonensis, the project moves beyond the biological significance of fossils to engage descendant communities (such as the Agta and Ibanag) as co-creators of knowledge. By integrating local folklore with excavation data, the project fosters a renewed sense of ownership and stewardship, transforming residents from onlookers into guardians of their heritage
Third, the investigation of the Tabon Cave Complex, specifically under the auspices of the Human Origin and Patrimony in Southeast Asia (HOPSEA) and Managing Prehistoric Sites in Southeast Asia (PreHSEA) programs, illustrates the role of international cooperation in capacity building. These initiatives prioritize the standardization of heritage management, ensuring that local museum stakeholders are equipped with the technical skills to manage sites of global significance. This shifts the power dynamic from foreign expertise to local competency.
Furthermore, the paper critically examines the role of museums as the public interface for these archaeological discoveries. No longer static repositories of the "dead," Philippine museums are becoming active forums for dialogue. However, this accessibility presents a "dual-edged sword" regarding archaeotourism. While site museums offer economic revitalization for local municipalities, the study warns that without rigorous ethical frameworks, heritage risks becoming commodified. The tension between preservation and the economic demands of tourism necessitates a management strategy that prioritizes the sanctity of the site over profit.
Ultimately, the integration of public archaeology into the Philippine museum network functions as a potent decolonizing mechanism. It bridges the gap between the "Authorised Heritage Discourse" (AHD) of the state and the lived realities of Filipinos. The research concludes that when archaeology is democratized, it strengthens community resilience and national identity. By validating local narratives with scientific rigor, contemporary Philippine archaeology empowers communities to reclaim their past, ensuring that heritage resources serve the living as much as they honor the ancestors.
The First Decade of an Archaeological Magazine
Dr. Szabolcs Felföldi
University of Szeged, Hungary
More than 10 years ago, in the summer of 2016, Hungary’s first nationwide educational magazine devoted exclusively to archaeology, Határtalan Régészet (Archaeology without boundaries), was launched. I have been the editor-in-chief of the magazine ever since. Over the past 10 years, we have published hundreds of articles by hundreds of authors on nearly 4,000 pages. This has given us a wealth of experience in disseminating scientific results and in high-level scientific education. In my presentation, I will try to represent the steps that led to the creation of the magazine, as well as our principles of selection, editing, and layout. I will try to reveal the secrets behind the production of such an archaeological magazine, without glossing over the difficulties that accompanied its publication.