Antiquities Theft and Loss: Central Java

Over the centuries, throughout the world, the thieving and robbing of relics from tombs and sacred sites has been commonplace. Unfortunately, relevant authorities in the respective countries have been battling to keep control of this situation.

Generally these acts are perpetrated by the poorer members of society and being paid pittance for their efforts by antiquities dealers. It was only a while ago that a temple was discovered near Gunung Lawu in Central Java, and, not surprisingly, it had been looted. Although it could not be estimated in what decade or even century, the point was it was looted of its sacred treasures.

Antiquities dealers are scrupulous and will go to no ends to secure their relic; even as far as thieving from museums. Another practice is the blatant robbing of stonework and carvings from restored temples. Fortunately, the Indonesian government does have laws enshrined to prosecute these thieves; however relics are still being appropriated.

Here is an interesting article relating to this subject compiled by Suherdjoko:

Eighth century Hindu temple relics lost in Semarang

Many 8th century historical relics from Hindu temples in Central Java have been lost, and are believed to be in the hands of private antique collectors.

Villager Sukirman, a native of Sidomulyo village in Central Java’s Semarang regency, said that during the 1980s many people came to the area to buy temple ruins or carved stones from residents.

“We didn’t know why they bought them. They only said the objects would be handed over to the museum,” said Sukirman, 68.

He said people from outside the area had easily obtained the historical artifacts, since locals considered them to be worthless. Local residents even used the objects as bases for pillars in their houses, he said.

During the independence struggle of the 1940s, many temple ruins could be found in the area between Paren hamlet to Sekere Hill in Sidomulyo, Sukirman said.

“We considered them to be just temple ruins and of no value, except as black rocks. The government also didn’t take care of them,” he said.

As the area became more densely populated, nearly all the temple ruins were tampered with or damaged, and a number of intact statues were bought by middlemen and antique collectors.
What remains are mostly small fragments, such as a statue of a dragon and a turtle, believed to be remnants of the Syiwa temple from the Kalingga kingdom.

The statue, one square meter wide and 1.2 meters tall, is now heaped in Sukirman’s backyard, gathering moss.

Many damaged temple relics can be found scattered around the village.

Hindu temple ruins can still be found in Gedong Songo (Seven Temples) in Semarang regency, but not all of them can be restored to their original form. People’s lack of awareness toward the objects and the presence of antique hunters is continuing the damage done to the remaining proof of the Kalingga kingdom.

According to a local cultural observer, Sutikno, Ungaran is home to a number of archeological sites, such as in Candirejo and Sikunir hamlets.

“Unfortunately, related agencies don’t care about (the ruins) despite numerous reports of discoveries by residents,” said Sutikno, who is also head of the Semarang regency arts council.

He said residents urged authorities to register the sites and protect them, but they had not followed up on the call.

Sutikno said hope was still alive to save the historical artifacts. The Semarang Tourism and Culture Office will build a museum on the site of the Willem II Fort in the heart of Ungaran. “Hopefully, the museum can be a place to house the historical relics,” Sutikno said.

Suherdjoko