Flinders University Explores Cooperation In Restitution And Repatriation Of Indonesian Underwater Cultural Conservation Objects In Australia

JAKARTA - Culture Minister Fadli Zon received archaeologist and professor of Flinders University, Martin Polkinghorne, at the Office of the Ministry of Culture, Jakarta, Thursday, November 20. This meeting is the first step for collaboration to explore restitution and repatriation of Indonesian Underwater Cultural Conservation in Australia, as well as map out the multiplier potential of the project.

During the hearing, Martin explained a collaboration plan titled Reuniting Orphaned Cargoes: Recovering Cultural Knowledge from Salvaged and Dispersed Underwater Cultural Heritage in Southeast Asia. This project focuses on three things: supporting the restitution of underwater Cultural Heritage objects to their original location by coordinating with the relevant ministries, expanding archaeological study opportunities, as well as building museum capacity for the preservation and recitation of collections to strengthen cultural tourism and local community sustainability.

The invitation for collaboration was welcomed by the Minister of Culture. "This project is in line with what is done by the Ministry of Culture for restitution, repatriation, and restoration of cultural objects that belong to Indonesia," said Fadli Zon.

Martin emphasized the importance of the sustainability of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, the potential for sustainable tourism, the impact on local communities through workshops, as well as the construction of a new narrative about ceramic artifacts. This is related to the many points of shipwrecks in the archipelago related to the spice route.

"Flinders University received relic ceramics from Indonesia. We are also developing a program to cooperate with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia. We are examining the collection in Adelaide to build public awareness of Indonesia's cultural heritage and spice route," said Martin.

Martin together with Nia Naelul Hasanah Ridwan and Zainab Tahir, maritime archaeologists from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, have researched a number of locations in Indonesia, including Belitung and Riau Islands. In the future, he wants to expand cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and return the artifacts that are now in Australia to Indonesia.

"We are very open to collaborating with the Ministry of Culture, continuing collaboration with other institutions and universities, and expanding networks with educational institutions in Indonesia," he said.

Responding to the development of maritime museum capacity, Fadli Zon emphasized that the Ministry of Culture is paying serious attention to the development of the museum ecosystem as a whole. Closing the meeting, the Minister of Culture who was accompanied by the Director General of Cultural Protection and Traditional Restu Gunawan, Director General of Diplomacy, Promotion, and Culture Cooperation Endah TD Retnoastuti, and Director of Cultural Diplomacy Usman Effendi, directed that the program timeline be adjusted to the ministry's quick motion in preserving cultural heritage.