Paper short abstract:

This paper presents phenomenological, iconographic, contextual, behavioral, and landscape archaeological approaches to reconstruct religious experiences, beliefs and practices through megaliths erected in two prehistoric communities of West-Sumatra.

Paper long abstract:

In an archaeological approach towards religion megaliths can be considered as a specific class of objects which are not exclusively linked to religion but in many instances reflect religious experiences, beliefs and practices. Following Clifford Geertz's general definition of religion, megaliths in particular may have acted as religious symbols to establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in humans by clothing these conceptions with such an aura of faculty that the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic

Two recent research projects on the megalithic complexes in Kerinci and in Mahat both in West-Sumatra provide the materials for an approach which analyses the phenomenology and iconography of the stones (i.e., their 'religious' symbolism), their context and function (i.e., the social aspect of 'religion'), their practice (i.e., the ritual aspect of 'religion') and their landscape (i.e. the powerful aspect of 'religion'). Furthermore, it will be asked how far these analytic instruments can help to understand the religious system in a Southeast Asian pre-state society without institutionalized forms of religion, and, finally, what can be said about the definition of religion in such an organization.

Paper short abstract:

This paper seeks to question the role of religion in the sourcing, trade and crafting of sandstone used for architecture and sculptural decoration, and for sculptures of deities, in peninsular Southeast Asia between the 6th and 14th centuries CE.

Paper long abstract:

Scientific analysis has identified two coexisting traditions of stone choice in peninsular Southeast Asia between the 6th and 14th centuries - one for architecture and sculptural decoration, another for sculptures of deities installed inside shrines. Jean Delvert's critical 1963 study of stone erosion on Angkorian monuments and sculpture outlined these two broad categories, but he did not consider material choices in terms of belief systems. Standard petrographic analysis was performed on thin sections of 260 objects from temple architectural and decorative elements, and Buddhist and Brahmanical sculptures in the round, from present-day Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Key petrographic parameters such grain composition and abundance, as well as grain size distribution and other textural characteristics were recorded. Within this broad framework, trends of stone preference are distinguished across time and in space. These choices appear to be the result of the combination of geographic, technical, and arguably religious practice. This paper seeks to understand the role of stone material choice in the creation of temples and sacred images through dialogue between scientists, archaeologists and historians.

Paper short abstract:

The mediaeval settlement site at Lamreh, a harbour on the maritime silk route is one of the most important early Islamic sites in Sumatra. Two distinct traditions of tombstone art are in evidence, early plain forms of batu Aceh and the more ornate, obelisk-like stones that suggests links with southern India.

Paper long abstract:

The mediaeval pre-sultanate Islamic settlement site at Lamreh in Aceh Besar is an important site for understanding the arrival of Islam in Sumatra. Located on the ancient maritime silk route it has tangible links with southern India, Sri Lanka, Ayudthya and south China from the mid/late thirteenth century. Two distinct tombstone traditions are in evidence, early forms of batu Aceh and the so-called plang-pleng tradition which are only found in a limited number of coastal locations in Aceh. This paper attempts to create an analysis of both of these forms and other sites, related to the arrival of Islam and the story as realted in the Sejarah Melayu.

Paper short abstract:

In 2009, a small Hindu temple was discovered on a university campus in Yogyakarta. During its restoration, more than 15 ritual deposits were found. We would like to present this newly found material and place it in the wider context of Hindu consecration rituals in Southeast Asia.

Paper long abstract:

On December the 11th 2009, preparatory work for constructing a new library on the campus of Universitas Islam Indonesia (Yogyakarta, Central Java) had begun while an excavator pulled out a carved stone. Officials from the local Center for Cultural Heritage Protection were called and discovered that a small village temple from the 9th-10th century lied buried under 3 m of volcanic debris. The restoration of this small structure led to another unexpected find: under the pedestals and below the pavement stones more than 15 ritual deposits were found intact. Some of them were placed in stone caskets, others in small bronze bowls.

This paper would like to present this unique material to the scientific community and contribute to the discussion about similarities and peculiarities of such consecration rituals throughout Southeast Asia.

Paper short abstract:

This paper will discuss some of the results of the 2010 archaeological excavation conducted in Neak Poan temple in Angkor, focusing on the religious implications of the data.

Paper long abstract:

In 2010, the Neak Poan temple, located in the northeast part of Angkor (Cambodia) in the middle of the Jayatataka reservoir, was excavated by an APSARA team of archaeologists, just before being filled back up with water. Built by the king Jayavarman VII at the end of the 12th - beginning of the 13th century, this unusual monument shows a cruciform plan of ponds placed around a central sanctuary tower located on a circular island. In this presentation, we will outline some of the key archaeological finds with specific focus on the numerous lingas and ammonites excavated within the sanctuary. By putting these archaeological data into a religious perspective and with the help of spectrographic and compositional study of the materials of these highly symbolic objects, we will attempt to identify the ritual activities of these offering deposits in a Buddhist context.

Paper short abstract:

Three ceramic vessels dating circa 12th-15th century reiterate iconography more familiar from Angkorian monumental architectural ornament and sculpture in stone, bronze, and wood. This paper explores the possible roles of such portable vessels in conveying and enacting religious concepts.

Paper long abstract:

Three glazed stoneware ceramic vessels in the Hauge Collection of Khmer ceramics at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., feature elaborate ornamentation that relates them to religious sculpture executed in stone, bronze, or wood. The authenticity of these unusual vessels was confirmed by Thermoluminescence (TL) testing, which suggested dates within--or perhaps slightly after, in one instance--the Angkorian period. The paper addresses the iconography of these three vessels and its relationship to that of Angkorian sculpture and monumental architecture and proposes a context for two of the vessels within the form of Buddhism espoused by the ruler Jayavarman VII and for the third within a somewhat later Theravada Buddhist context. It will also consider the possible places of production for the vessels, their usefulness in marking datable Angkorian ceramic styles, and their relationship to ceramic production in Vietnam (Dai Viet) and China.

Paper short abstract:

Short Abstract Many Hindu and Buddhist sites are located on the bank of Musi River, dating between the 6th to 14th centuries. Evidence of burials jars from nearby contemporary sites indicates the continuing presence of prehistoric ritual traditions in south Sumatra.

Paper long abstract:

Long Abstract

Hinduism and Buddhism developed rapidly during the rise of the Srivijaya kingdom period. In the Musi River valley, south Sumatra, the Srivijaya rulers played an important role in the spread of these religions from coastal areas to the hinterlands. Numerous Hindu and Buddhist sites have been located on the bank of Musi River, South Sumatra, Indonesia dating between the 6th century to 14th centuries. These sites are characteristic by the presence of temples and statues however new discoveries indicate the contemporary use of burial jars, a tradition that was important in prehistory. This paper will discuss several of these sites. Lesung Batu site is 200 meters from a Hindu temple and contains a burial jar with ancient pottery as well as Chinese ceramics associated with the 10th century. In the area around Ranau Lake, which has a developed megalithic tradition, another burial jar was found near a Hindu temple. Based on radiocarbon dating, the burial jar is associated with the 11th century. This evidence demonstrates the continued use of a prehistoric burial jar tradition during the time when Hinduism was the major state religion.

Paper short abstract:

Native Belief Systems of Mortuary Practice, new evidence from Dong Mae nang Muang and U-Thong, Dvaravati settlement, Central Thailand.

Paper long abstract:

In 2008, Dvaravati sites in upper Central Thailand, Dong Ma Nang Muang, Nakornsawan province were excavated and revealed great number of burials under the ruined monument, which possibly Dvaravati Stupa. This site can dated as 10th-12th centuries AD according to ceramics analysis. The significance of these burials is no associated finds such as grave goods or dedication object were found as well as still no pattern of mortuary practice. Therefore, preliminary hypothesis of burials was, all human skeletons were probably buried in the same time and Stupa was built over funerary area. On the other hand, in 2010, another famous Dvaravati site, U-Thong in Supanburi province, central Thailand, had been re-excavated by San Thaiyanonda(2013). Two inhumations were found under ancient town moat. Thermo luminescence dating of brick from moat is about 10th-11th centuries AD. Characteristic of burial are similar to Dong Mae Nang Muang's, without any grave goods and dedication also no pattern of mortuary practices as well.

According to new evidence from U-Thong and Dong Mae Nang Muang, it'd be inferred that during 10th-12th centuries A.D. Dvaravati people had the ritual which is similar to Pre-Historic period's. However, the important characteristic of mortuary practice from this age are lacking of grave goods and associating with monument or structure are different from Pre-historic time, therefore, it could be implied about some belief and ritual which are native unlike Buddhism or Hinduism.

Paper short abstract:

Excavations at Prasat Ta Muong offer new interpretation for the demise of this hospital founded in 1181 AD, as well as evidence of its late occupation an change of cult.

Paper long abstract:

A pilot excavation campaign has been conducted at Prasat Ta Muong, the Western hospital of Angkor Thom, by the Angkor Medevial Hospital project directed by R. Chhem and C. Pottier in 2006. The foundation of that hospital by the King Jayavarman VII is precisely known: 1181, the same year that his coronation. But its abandonment remains unclear, in particular in its relation to the demise of Angkor Thom. The ceramic and artefacts excavated at Prasat Ta Muong were studied by A. Desbat. Confronted to the stratigraphic context and radiocarbon dating, they offer a unique opportunity to identify how a Jayavarman VII ceramic assemblage looks like. But it also suggest new interpretation for the demise of this royal foundation and its later reoccupation.

Paper short abstract:

Recently excavation at U-Thong had unearthed some trace of Hinduism ritual, the Agni Kunda, for the first time in Dvaravati site and mortuary practice which were found under the ancient rampart(11th centuries AD) also showed the native belief of Dvaravati people during 11th centuries AD.

Paper long abstract:

U-thong is one of prominent ancient settlement in the period of Dvaravati situated in the central region of Thailand. There have been many surveys and excavations indicating that people established a settlement on this site from late prehistoric period to 11th century A.D.

In 2010, the archeological project, done in the western area of the site, included 2 test pits in the inner town (Noen Plappla) and another one at the ancient moat. The aim of this excavation was to study about its stratigraphy and land usage functions. The results show that at Noen Plappla area, there are some traces of glass bead industry and metal smelting dated back to 10-11th centuries A.D., and features possibly relating to Hindu rite; Agni Kunda, which was dated 9th century A.D. As for the excavation at the ancient moat, there were some evidences showing human settlement in 5th century A.D. (in the same period as Oc Eo), an inscribed earthenware bowl, early construction of the rampart dated around 8-9th centuries A.D., 2 burials upon the early rampart dated 11th century A.D., and the lasted construction on the early rampart.

The discovery of these traces of Hindu rituals which had not been found in Dvaravati period before and the mortuary practice which probably relates to native beliefs puts a new perspective on Dvaravati study: there is a mixture of local beliefs, Buddhism, and Hinduism which were practiced since the protohistorical period, and some native rituals which continually practiced until 11th century A.D.

Paper short abstract:

Investigations at Preah Khan of Kompong Svay provide unique insight into the material transition between Mahāyāna to Theravāda Buddhism. Preliminary results show evidence of ritual activities, patterns of material consumption and establish new chronological frameworks at this important Angkorian site.

Paper long abstract:

The transition from Mahāyāna to Theravāda Buddhism represents a major event in Cambodian history yet we currently lack any direct evidence of when and why it took place in the late Angkorian period (12th to 15th centuries CE). Preah Khan of Kompong Svay (Preah Khan), located 100km east of Angkor, remains the only known site favouring Buddhist over Brahmanical ideals and has direct evidence of religious change via construction of the two distinct towers of Preah Thkol (Mahāyāna) and Preah Chatumukh (Theravāda). This paper will discuss the results of the first field campaign including the identification of ritual activity and occupation change through ceramics and botanical remains within the central temple complex, construction and dating of the foundation base for the standing four-sided Buddha tower of Preah Chatumukh, and detailed compositional and spectrographic study of the sandstone materials used within Preah Khan to detect shifting patterns of procurement. In combination with epigraphic evidence discovered at the site and surrounding areas, the Two Buddhist Towers project provides the first comprehensive investigation into the change of Buddhist material culture within final centuries of the Khmer Empire.