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Rethinking Cultural Resource Management in Southeast Asia

Rethinking Cultural Resource Management in Southeast Asia

John N. Miksic | Geok Yian Goh | Sue OConnor

(2011)

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Abstract

Presenting both the need for – and difficulty of – introducing effective cultural resource management (CRM) in the region, ‘Rethinking Cultural Resource Management’ in Southeast Asia explores the challenges facing efforts to protect Southeast Asia’s indigenous cultures and archaeological sites from the ravages of tourism and economic development. Recognising the inapplicability of Euro-American solutions to this part of the world, the essays of this volume investigate their own set of region-specific CRM strategies, and acknowledge both the necessity and possibility of mediating between the conflicting interests of short-term profitability and long-term sustainability.


“Overall, this volume provides an excellent overview of Cultural Resources Management in Southeast Asia, underpinned by serious scholarly research and practical experiences” —Michael Hitchcock, Macau University of Science and Technology, “Aseasuk News”


‘This book is vital reading for anyone interested in Southeast Asia’s cultural heritage and historical archaeology – terrestrial and maritime. Some major themes examined from different angles are local versus scholarly perspectives on ancient remains, and the balancing act between development for tourism and conservation of the historically authentic.’ —Dr David Bulbeck, Department of Archaeology and Natural History, Australian National University


John N. Miksic is Associate Professor in the Department of Southeast Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, and Head of the Archaeological Unit of the Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre, Institute for Southeast Asian Studies.

Geok Yian Goh is Assistant Professor in the Minor in History Programme at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University.

Sue O’Connor is Professor of Archaeology in the School of Culture, History and Languages at the College of Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University.


‘This volume will be a critical resource for archaeologists, heritage managers, planners and land users within Southeast Asia – most importantly at the international level, where much discretionary funding for site conservation and research has (and will continue to) come from. The authors are to be applauded for the clarity they bring to the oft en parlous histories of CRM in their respective jurisdictions.’ —Professor Peter Veth, Research School of Humanities and the Arts, Australian National University


‘This volume is the first to offer a detailed analysis of the historical, political and social factors contributing to the current state of cultural resource management in Southeast Asia. Its case studies give unique insights to local law, policy and practice.’ —Professor Ben Marwick, Department of Anthropology, University of Washington


‘Rethinking Cultural Resource Management in Southeast Asia’ explores the challenges facing efforts to protect Southeast Asia’s indigenous cultures and archaeological sites from the ravages of tourism and economic development. The tourism industry has long recognized the economic benefits of cultural resources, and in Southeast Asia many countries have already developed elements of their cultural heritage into tourist attractions. If not properly managed, the side effects of this development have the potential to be disastrous. As such, there is a now pressing need to create a coordinated study of the growing field of cultural resource management (CRM).

This volume develops a set of themes, including: tourism and its alternatives as CRM strategies; the mitigation of the effects of tourism and other developmental forces; site preservation, ranging from monuments to vernacular architecture, villages, and urban neighbourhoods; and legal issues facing resource management. Its essays discuss innovative approaches to CRM, and avoid the assumption that Euro-American solutions are applicable worldwide; in the Southeast Asian context, funding is often limited, whilst concepts of cultural resource ownership and governmental authority differ from those in the West.

The ultimate goal of CRM is sustainable management, but the convergence between development and preservation is often tense because it entails compromise and negotiation between parties with conflicting interests. The frequently cited concept of “sustainability” is therefore subject to differing interpretations, and conflicts between the short term and long term, local and global, and restoration and regeneration are perennial sources of dispute between stakeholders.

Southeast Asian cultures are thus under intense pressure on many fronts. What this volume seeks to illuminate is the need for effective management strategies to reduce the destructive potential of these conflicting interests: tourism in this region is highly dependent on cultural attractions, and proper management strategies would ensure that these cultural assets are preserved. In turn, this will allow these cultural resources to contribute significantly to the material wellbeing – and stability – of their respective societies.

Table of Contents

Section Title Page Action Price
Front Matter\r i
HALF TITLE\r i
TITLE PAGE\r iii
COPYRIGHT\r iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS v
LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES vii
INTRODUCTION - John N. Miksic xiii
References xxi
Main Matter\r xxii
SOUTHEAST ASIA (GENERAL) 1
Chapter 1 THINKING ABOUT POPULAR RELIGION AND HERITAGE - Denis Byrne 3
Introduction 3
Popular Religion and the Material Past 4
Implications for Heritage Conservation 6
Cultural Landscapes and Social Practice 8
Distancing Discourses and Countermapping 9
The Tension between Veneration and “Looting” 10
Conclusion 11
References 12
Chapter 2 WRECKED TWICE: SHIPWRECKS AS A CULTURAL RESOURCE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA - Michael Flecker 15
Introduction 15
Australia 16
Thailand 17
Sri Lanka 18
Vietnam 19
Indonesia 24
Malaysia 29
The Philippines 31
Conclusions 32
References 35
EAST TIMOR 37
Chapter 3 WHOSE CULTURE AND HERITAGE FOR WHOM? THE LIMITS OF NATIONAL PUBLIC GOOD PROTECTED AREA MODELS IN TIMOR LESTE - Sue O'Connor, Sandra Pannell and Sally Brockwell 39
Introduction 39
The First National Park for Timor Leste 40
The Fataluku People and Their Cultural Environment 41
Natural Resources and Land Use 43
Cultural Heritage 45
Site Features 46
Ritual Sites 47
Rock Art 49
Occupation Sites 53
Rock Shelters 53
Walled Settlements 56
Shell Middens 57
Artifact Scatters 58
Burial Sites 59
Water Sources 60
Discussion 61
Postscript 63
Acknowledgements 64
References 64
Chapter 4 ARCHAEOLOGICAL PRACTICE IN TIMOR LESTE: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE - Peter Lape and Randy Hert 67
Introduction 67
Background on Cultural Heritage and Archaeology in Timor Leste 68
Relations between Archaeologists and Local Communities 70
Public Opinion Survey in Manatuto, July 2005 71
Survey Methods 72
Rationale for Survey Questions and Predicted Responses 73
Survey Results 74
Discussion of Results 75
Relationship by Age 79
Relationship by Gender 79
Relationship by Education Level 79
Conclusions 82
Acknowledgements 84
Websites of Interest 84
References 84
CAMBODIA 89
Chapter 5 RETHINKING CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: THE CAMBODIAN CASE - Son Soubert 91
Introduction 91
The Case of Angkor Historical and Cultural Zone 91
Economic Development versus Cultural Heritage 93
The Necessity for Sound Legislation and Education 95
Chapter 6 CONSERVATION OF THE THNAL MRECH KILN SITE, ANLONG THOM, PHNOM KULEN - Chhay Visoth 101
Background 101
Current Situation at the Site 102
Analysis of Threats to the Site 104
Anlong Thom Kiln Site Management 106
The Potential of Anlong Thom Village 109
Conclusion 113
Acknowledgements 115
References 115
Chapter 7 CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN PHNOM SRUK: POTENTIAL AND PROBLEMS - Chan Sovichetra 117
Introduction 117
Background 117
Social Conditions in Phnom Sruk District 118
Cultural Resources of Phnom Sruk 118
Prehistoric Sites 119
Agricultural Resources 120
Silk Industry 120
Local Museums and Education 120
Tourism Planning 121
Conclusion 121
References 122
Chapter 8 ARCHAEOLOGY AND CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SOUTH OF PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA - Phon Kaseka 123
Introduction 123
Brief Description of the Cheung Ek and Sre Ampil Sites 125
Site Destruction 130
Immediate Categories of Site Threats and Destruction to Cheung Ek and Sre Ampil 136
Potential Future Development, Education, Research and Increased Tourism 139
Conclusion 141
References 141
Chapter 9 HERITAGE MANAGEMENT OF WOODEN PRAYER HALLS IN BATTAMBANG PROVINCE, CAMBODIA - Song Sophy 143
Introduction 143
Conclusion 148
References 149
MYANMAR 151
Chapter 10 INNOVATION VERSUS PRESERVATION: HERITAGE MANAGEMENT AND BURMESE TRADITIONAL PERFORMING ARTS - Goh Geok Yian 153
Introduction 153
Varieties of Burmese Traditional Performing Arts 155
Transformation of the Zat Pwe and Anyein Pwe 156
Factors Resulting in the Decline of Burmese Traditional Arts 161
The University of Culture’s Role in Burmese Traditional Arts Revival 165
Tourism’s Impact on Burma’s Traditional Performing Arts 171
Innovation versus Preservation/Conservation 172
Conclusion 174
References 177
THE PHILIPPINES 179
Chapter 11 USING INTERNATIONAL HERITAGE CHARTERS IN PHILIPPINE CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Vito Hernandez 181
Introduction 181
Cultural Resource Management (CRM) in Philippine Archaeology 182
Archaeological Sites and Philippine Legislation 183
The Huluga Archaeological Site 184
Ephemeral Occupations and Not a Settlement Site 185
International Charters and Documents 186
Lacking Heritage Signifi cance: Settlement Matters and the People’s Initiative 193
Conclusion: International Heritage Charters as Temporary Proposed Standards 194
Acknowledgments 196
References 196
SINGAPORE 199
Chapter 12 TRANSFORMING THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE - Kwa Chong Guan 201
A Long-Term Vision for the Museum 202
Transforming Vision into Reality 204
Planning and Developing a Museum Precinct 205
Establishing a National Heritage Board 207
Defi ning a History Museum 209
Establishing an Art Museum 211
Building an Asian Civilisations Museum 212
Starting Community Museums 214
Conclusion 215
References 215
Chapter 13 SINGAPORE’S ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE: WHAT HAS BEEN SAVED - John N. Miksic 217
Introduction 217
The Saga of Fort Canning 219
The Development of Keramat Iskandar Shah 229
Conclusion 230
References 231
VIETNAM 233
Chapter 14 THE PRESERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE MONUMENTS OF CHAMPA IN CENTRAL VIETNAM: THE EXAMPLE OF MY SON SANCTUARY, A WORLD CULTURAL HERITAGE SITE - Tran Ky Phuong 235
My Son Historical Site 235
Issues in the Preservation of Champa’s Monuments 244
Some Contemporary Issues in the Management of My Son 249
Mapping Archaeological and Historical Sitesin the Thu Bon Basin 250
Acknowledgements 252
References 253