Search

Sarawak needs to train more archaeologists, says academician

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
Dr Nicholas Gani

KUCHING: Archaeology as a field of research began in the late 1940s in Sarawak during colonial times with pioneering work done by the Sarawak Museum.

Some of the most well-known and significant archaeological sites such as Santubong and Niah Caves were in fact discovered during the colonial period.

Despite the relatively early beginning, academician Dr Nicholas Gani of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak said the progress of archaeology in Sarawak had been rather limited with the lacking in training of new local archaeologists.

In saying this, he pointed out that most of archaeological work done in Sarawak in the last 50 years were carried out either by researchers from universities in Peninsular Malaysia or by foreign researchers.

“The archaeological work conducted is of course in collaboration with the Sarawak Museum which oversee the management and protection of archaeological sites in the state.

“Until today, there is no proper archaeological research unit in any of the local universities in Sarawak and there are not many archaeologists who are based in the state.

“There are other Sarawakian archaeologists and students who are currently studying archaeology, but they are based in places like Penang for example at Universiti Sains Malaysia where there is the Centre for Global Archaeological Research.”

Nicholas, who has been involved in archaeological research for more than a decade, stated that there were definitely more archaeological sites to be discovered in Sarawak.

Touching on his personal experience in carrying out research on megalithic (stone) monuments in the Upper Baram region in 2016, he disclosed that he had discovered previously undocumented megalithic sites.

“One of the reasons why some archaeological sites are yet to be explored is because of the problem of access. Many areas in the interior of Sarawak are hard to get to and have yet to be explored archaeologically.

“I expect there to be many more archaeological sites in the interior regions in the forested areas which are far from road access.”

The Anthropology and Sociology Department  programme coordinator highlighted that archaeological sites were also important tourism destinations in many places around the world.

He referred to Stonehenge in England as well as Angkor Wat and various other ancient temples in Cambodia which attracted a large number of tourists annually.

“Tourism activities at archaeological sites provide tremendous economic benefits like providing jobs and generating income for the local population.

“This is especially so if the archaeological sites are able to achieve global recognitions for example as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage Sites.”

There is currently only a handful of people who have prior academic training and qualification in archaeology in Sarawak, but not all are active in conducting archaeological research due to holding different job positions away from archaeology.

As such, Nicholas said there was still a lack of archaeologists in the state.

In saying this, he pointed out that there has to be more community engagements with awareness programmes being held at schools, colleges, and universities.

“The subject of archaeology should also be taught in local universities to increase the awareness of archaeology and to train future archaeologists in Sarawak. It is also to show the youth that there is a career and future to be made in the world of archaeology.

“Another way to promote the interest of the local population is to involve them in archaeological research or interpretation, or in the creation of archaeological narratives.

“This can be done by inviting locals to participate as volunteers in archaeological excavations or by collaborating with villagers in the management of archaeological sites.”

Download from Apple Store or Play Store.