PAEI and Udayana University’s Archaeology Programs Collaborates on an Event Called “Diskusi Epigrafi Nusantara Khusus: Upaya Penetapan Prasasti Sebagai Cagar Budaya”

Indonesia has 86 ancient inscriptions, locally known as “prasasti”, that are officially declared to be national cultural heritage. The ancient inscription in Blanjong obtained this status just last year in 2023. Getting more ancient inscriptions, especially the ones in Bali, to obtain the status of national cultural heritage is a cause that’s greatly supported by PAEI (Perkumpulan Ahli Epigrafi Indonesia). That is because, as cultural heritages, these inscriptions will receive protection, preservation, and appropriate utilization following Indonesia’s law regarding cultural heritages (UU no. 11 tahun 2010 tentang Cagar Budaya).

That is why on Monday, April 22nd, 2024, PAEI collaborated with Udayana University’s Archaeology program to hold an event called “Diskusi Epigrafi Nusantara Khusus: Upaya Penetapan Prasasti Sebagai Cagar Budaya”. Mrs. Luh Suwita Utami, head of PAEI Komda Bali, expressed in her opening remarks that this event will be the first of many partnerships with the archaeology program that will be held soon. The Dean of Udayana University’s Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Mr. I Nyoman Aryawibawa S.S, M.A., Ph. D., was happy about PAEI's interest in working together with the study program and states that ancient inscriptions in Bali urgently need to obtain the status of cultural heritage.

There were 2 keynote speakers at this event,  Drs. I Made Kusumajaya M. Si, head of the cultural heritage specialist team in Bali, and Dr. Ni Ketut Puji Laksmi, S.S., M. Si, 3rd deputy dean of Udayana University’s Faculty of Cultural Sciences and member of PAEI Komda Bali Nursa Sulawesi. The discussion was also moderated by Mr. Rochtri Agung Bawono, lecturer in Udayana University’s Archaeology program and member of PAEI Komda Bali Nursa Sulawesi.

Dr. Ni Ketut Puji Laksmi delivered material about ancient inscriptions found in Bali, how reading them is a way to conserve their importance, and how locals consider these artifacts sacred. Drs. I Made Kusumajaya M. Si explain the law that regulates cultural heritages in Indonesia and the requirements that every archeological finding must have to be considered one.

This event was attended by 75 participants, which included local governments, staff from BPK (Balai Pelestarian Kebudayaan), and archaeology students from Udayana University. It started at 9:00 AM and ended at noon local time (GMT+8). The discussion took place in the Soekarno Room, Faculty of Arts Jln. Pulau Nias No. 13, Denpasar, Bali. 



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