Mongolia

32

Munkhtulga Rinchinkhorol
Protection of Cultural Heritage in Urban Areas in Mongolia: The Tonyukuk Complex

Nepal

39

Suresh Suras Shrestha
Post Earthquake Conservation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation in Nepal: Current Status

New Zealand44

Matthew Schmidt
Heritage on the Move: The preservation of William Gilbert Rees ca. 1864 Meat Shed

Pakistan

50

Tahir Saeed
A Recent Study of the Individual Buddha Stone Sculptures from Gandhara, Pakistan

Philippines

56

Louella Solmerano Revilla
Restoration of the Roman Catholic Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica

Sri Lanka

62

D.A. Rasika Dissanayaka
Vee bissa and Atuwa: Earthen Structures for Storing Granary in Ancient Sri Lanka

Uzbekistan

66

Akmal Ulmasov
Preliminary Results of Archaeological Researches in the Karatepa Buddhist Center (in 2014-2015)

VanuatuRichard Shing
Identifying Potential Archaeological Sites on a Polynesian Outlier –Preliminary Archaeological Survey on Futuna

70

Bangladesh
Bangladesh

Especial Type of Ancient Pottery — Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) — Obtained from
Mahasthangarh (Ancient Pundranagara) Archaeological Site and Its Chronological Study
Mst. Naheed Sultana, Regional Director
Department of Archaeology, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Introduction: Clay or mud is a very ordinary thing, and issimply a covering of earth. This earth has been used for
different works since 10,000 years ago (Singh 1979:1). For
our existence in the world, in our daily work, in religious,
cultural, and political works and royal orders, clay has
been the greatest and most invaluable material. This isevident from the antiquities unveiled from excavations indifferent parts of the world. “Several thousand years ago
this quality came to be recognized by man and delighted
in making pottery. Thus a beginning of civilization cameinto being” (Singh 1979:13).
Flourishing of NBPW: The NBPW culture started in the
Indian Subcontinent during the Iron Age (1700 BC to 230
BC). At the same time, two other special types of pottery
cultures were also succeeding. The Painted Gray Ware
(PGW) culture and Black and Red Ware (BR) culture
thrived alongside the NBPW culture. The NBPW culture
was prominent at the end of the Vedic era (700 BC) and it
rose to the pinnacle of its glory in the 1st century B.C. At
first, NBPW culture spread out in the great Mahajanapada
or 16 districts of Northern India and subsequently
proliferated throughout the entire Indian subcontinent.
“The NBPW period witnessed the emergence ofurbanization in the Ganga valley and existence of a strong
central administration under the Mauryas, and the rise of
Buddhism and Jainism. All these events were turning
points for the subcontinent” (Rahman 2000:138).
Besides Black Polished Ware, some other varieties of
NBPW have been found, such as grey, red, ochre, silver
and gold colour with slip. And these wares are very
exceptional or extraordinary quality NBPW, and were of
the highest degree of technological excellence in the 6th
century BC.
A number of specimens of NBPW have been discovered in
the ancient archaeological sites in the Indian subcontinent.
“Early discoveries of the NBPW were at Sharnath near
Varanasi (Marshall in ASI-AR 1904-5:59), at Bhita near
Allahabad (Marshall 1909:40), where it was described as
Fine Black Lustrous and Lower Levels of Bhir mound,
Taxilla (Marshall 1951:432), where it was regarded as
Greek Black Ware. (Ghosh 1989:251)”. R.E.M Wheeler andKrishna Deva published a report in 1946, and theychristened these potteries as “Northern Black PolishedWare” (Ghosh 1989:251). They identified that the Ganga
basin is the main centre of NBPW and mentioned thenames of 18 archaeological sites, of which Tamluk,
Bangarh and Chandrakatugarh were the most noteworthy.
The discovered NBP Wares from Mahasthangarh werevessels, large dishes, small dishes, cups, beakers, lippedbasins, shallow dishes, and noteworthy pitchers. Some ofthem were featureless with an in-curved rim, and some
had an externally thickened featureless rim, or an externally1

thickened grooved rim. There was very fine fabric, with agrey and black core and well levigated. Both surfaces werevery smooth, and were black slipped, red slipped andpolished.
NBPW was not made or used in all regions in a certain era
or at the same time. Actually this culture flourished andreached the pinnacle of its glory from the 7th to 1st centuries
BC. For the first time, Northern Black Polished Ware has
been found at Saranath and Bhita archaeological sites,
dating from the Pre-Mauryan period (6th to 4th centuries
BC). The NBPW culture spread continuously from theUpper Ganga to the Lower Ganga and gradually enteredancient Bengal and Bihar. It has been proved that the
NBPW culture was widespread in the Indian subcontinent
from Peshawar to the Swat District in Pakistan,Anuradhepura in Sri Lanka, Chebrolu, (Krishna district inIndia) in the south, Prabhas to Patna in Odisha in the west,
Tildah and Tamluk in Midnapur in the east, Bangarh in the
Dinajpur district, Chandrakatugarh in the 24 Pargana
district, Mahasthangarh (Pundranagara) and Bhasu Biharin the Bogra district, and Wari-Bataswar in the Narshindi
district.
Naming of the site: The literal meaning of the word
Mahasthan is “famous place.” According to some, thisplace should be called Maha Snan or “famous bathing
place.” The old Pundranagara is now buried under
Mahasthangarh. It is the ruins of the oldest provincial
capital city of Bangladesh. It is known from thearchaeological information that the location of this city
emerged as a rich and resourceful place from the 4th
century BC to the 15th century AD. The ruins of this old cityon the west bank of the river Karatoa is a famous featureof today’s Bogra district.
Location: This place is very important in terms of historicaland archaeological value. It is situated on the west bank of
the old ‘Karatoa’ river by the northern side of BograRangpur highway, 16 kilometers from Bogra district town.
This fortified old city is 1524 meters long and 1371 meters
wide, and 6.5 meters above the surrounding plain. The city
was well-protected, being surrounded by a deep trench on
the northern, southern and western sides and with thewide Karatoa river to the east.
Excavation at Mahasthangarh: Archaeological excavations
started at Mahasthangarh fortified city in 1907 led by theDistrict Engineer Mr. Nandi (Gazetteers 1910). In the firsthalf of the 20th century, excavations were carried out
irregularly. But excavations were continuing almost every
year in the second half of the 20th century. Since thebeginning of the 21st century, archaeological excavations
have been continuing at Mahasthangarh fortified city.
At first, specimens of NBP Ware were found at Gobindavita

Bangladesh

Map of Shibganj Upazilla

Map of Bogra District

Site plan of Mahasthangarh (Ancient Pundranagara) Fortif㘶ed city

excavation very close to the fort city of Mahasthangarh in
1960 (Ahmed 1997), and by Mankalir Kunda in 1965-66(Ahmed 1997). After that, NBPW was discovered at theEastern Rampart area in the city of Mahasthangarh. A
Bangladesh-France joint venture excavation started at theEastern Rampart area into the fortified city in 1993 and thiscontinued until 1999. A systematic research paper was
published (1993-1999) about the unveiled ancient
structures and antiquities from the site. The results of the
excavations are 18 building levels discovered from theunveiled site. A number of NBPW items have been
discovered from the lowest level (Building Level 1). The
lowest depth was excavated at 15.82 m above sea level(1997) (Alam and Salles 2001:83).

to the virgin soil. A total of 50 samples were collected forradiocarbon dating from the different layers excavated byboth teams (Alam and Salles 2001). Level 1: NBPW was
mainly found on Building Levels 1 and 1B (lowest layer)
and these items had been created and used in the late 4th
century BC. Level 2: Mostly NBPW with some Rouletted
Ware and Red Polished Ware were found from Level 2.
Level 3: Again mainly NBP Ware with some rouletted
shards found on Building Level 3. Level 4: Only some
NBPW obtained from Building Level 4. Level 5: Again
mostly NBPW was found on Level 5 along with terracotta
plaques, terracotta animal figurines, small objects, stone
and glass beads, and a rock crystal ring (Alam and Salles
2001:159).

Archaeological excavation started here at 23.80 m above
sea level and deep sounding excavation was conducted up

Among the 18 Building Levels, NBPW was discoveredfrom Building Levels 1 to 5, with their time period being

2

Bangladesh
Excavation at Mahasthangarh in 1993-1999

NBPW from Mahasthangarh excavationlate 4th century BC to 1st century BC. There was no NBPW
found on Building Levels 6 to 18, which date to the 3rd
century BC to 18th century AD. However, besides the NBP
Ware, innumerable precious antiquities and potsherds
were also retrieved from the excavated site.
After that, archaeological excavation was conducted in theMazar area of Mahasthangarh (ancient Pundranagara),
from 2000 to 2011 with an interruption between 2001 to
2003. A few NBPW items were retrieved from the
excavation. It is true that neither team (Bangladeshi and
French) did not conduct a deep sounding excavation inthis area. For this reason, NBPW was not discovered here.
Again, both teams (Bangladeshi and French) have initiated3

archaeological excavations close to the Bairagir Bhita site
(inside the fortified city) since 2014 until now. Both teams
have collected some NBP Ware from here with ancient
brick structures and precious antiquities. The huge
perforated terracotta tiles, Sunga terracotta plaques, andsome beads prove that these NBPW items were used at theearliest occupation level. The same result comes from the
1993-1999 excavations which are well described in the“First interim report of Mahasthangarh” (Alam and Salles
2001).
Besides Mahasthangarh, NBPW specimens have been
discovered in four different parts of Bangladesh: Sitakot
Bihar (Archaeology 6:1969:4) (Buddhist Monastery site) in
the Dinajpur district, Bhat Bhita (Buddhist Monastery site)

Bangladesh

Recent excavation at Mahasthangarh

in the Magura district (excavation 2002-2004), and Bhasu
Bihar site (Buddhist monastery site) near Mahasthangarh
and Wari Bateswar in the Narsindi district. It is mentionedthat the exact time period of discovered NBP Ware of
Sitakot Bihar. “Discovery of Northern Black Polished Wareat the lower level of the western cell may eventually prove
to be significant. After Mahasthan, this is the first site at
which this type of ware generally associated with theMaurya and Sunga periods has been recorded”(Archaeology1969:4). At other sites, namely Bhasu Bihar
and Wari Bateshwar, the NBPW is the same as
Mahasthangarh NBPW.
Conclusion: In continuation of the development of humancivilization, the role of NBPW was immeasurable in the
Indian subcontinent. Although the NBPW culture arose in
the northern part of India, this culture gradually spreadthroughout the entire Indian subcontinent. In continuationof the special type of NBPW Wares have been discoveredfrom the earliest level of the Mahasthangarh (Ancient
Pundranagara) excavation and some other sites in
Bangladesh. This NBPW proves that the Great Mauryan

Emperors ruled over Bengal, and that Pundranagara was arich provincial capital city from the 4th century BC to the15th century AD.
References
1. Gurcharan Singh, Pottery in India, 1979.
2. Shah Sufi Mostafizur Rahman, Archaeological
Investigation in Bogra District (From Early Historic to
Early Mediaeval Period), 2000.
3. A. Ghosh, An Encyclopedia of Indian Archaeology,
1989.
4. J.N.Gupta, District Gazetteers (Eastern Bengal andAssam) Bogra, 1910.
5. Dr. Nazimuddin Ahmed, Mahasthan Maynamati
Paharpur, 1999.
6. Md. Shafiqul Alam and Jean Francois Salles, First
interim Report 1993-1999.
7. Dr. Nazimuddin Ahmed,Mahasthan, 1981.
8. Dr. Nazimudin Ahmed, Mahasthan, An exhibition heldin Bangladesh National Museum Dhaka, 1999.
9. Pakistan Archaeology, Number-3, 1966.
10. Pakistan Archaeology, Number 6, 1969.

4

Bhutan
BhutanRestoration of Wangditse Lhakhang
Phuntsho Wangmo, Engineer
Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites, Department of Culture, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs
Background
Wangditse Lhakhang under Thimphu Dzongkhag is one of
the most important heritage sites in Bhutan. It is said tohave been built by the 9th Desi, Druk Rabgye, in the early
18th century. However, the Lhakhnag has suffered several
areas of damage to the masonry walls, which worsened
during the earthquake of September 2011.
Therefore, the renovation of Wangditse Lhakhang started
in July 2011. During the renovation, an archaeologicalsurvey was carried out and it was discovered that there
were some remains of the stone foundation southwest andnorthwest of the current existing external wall. The
existence of a circumambulation room around the main
shrine room was also discovered.
Reconstruction of external walls
As per the findings of the archaeological survey,
construction of external walls on the southwest andnorthwest sides began. The existing southeast external
wall was dismantled to be reconstructed, since the wall
was in poor condition and unstable. Special stones orderedfrom Dawakha quarry under Paro Dzongkhag are being
used for wall construction while granite stones from Sha
Ngawang under Wangduephodrang are being used forcorner stones.
Consolidation of walls
The old walls with cracks were consolidated by stitching
and grouting as per the recommendation of conservation
specialist David Michelmore. The areas where the walls
were to be stitched were cut and cleaned thoroughly by
removing loose mortar. The cut surface was wetted withsprinkled water, and mortar was laid over it. A stainlesssteel wire mesh was then placed above a layer of mortar
and the new wall was constructed over it. The stitching
was carried out at certain intervals. The grouting was
carried out in order to fill up the voids that had developed
inside the wall due to the crack and also to bind the inner
and the outer leaf of the wall using an overhead tank anda 20 mm diameter flexible pipe. The grout was preparedon site by mixing local soil, lime and water in the ratio of
3:1:2.5 (3 parts of sieved soil: 1 part of lime: 2.5 parts ofwater). Holes 30 mm in diameter and 45 mm deep were
drilled into the wall at certain intervals using a core drill.
The grout was then injected into the holes.
Use of unripe green persimmon as a natural wood preservative
It has been challenging when it comes to preserving timbercomponents, which deteriorate much faster than otherhistoric building materials, timber being an organic
material. While carrying out the renovation works, it was
found that most of the timber components were notreusable. Timber inserted into the wall and unexposed tothe air was found to have decayed, thus hampering thestructural stability of the Lhakhang. Timber is also affected5

by relative humidity, causing it to expand and contract.
Therefore, various interventions in historic timber
structures have become necessary in order to preserve
them.
Meanwhile, Her Majesty the Royal Mother advised us to
use unripe green persimmon as a natural woodpreservative, which is called "Kakishibu: Traditional
Persimmon Dye of Japan". It is known that kakishibu haspreservative and adhesive qualities. In Japan, kakishibu isused to reinforce paper, preserve wood and clarify sake.
Following the Royal command, the project team collected
unripe persimmon from Shelgana, Punakha on August 24,
2016. The very next day preparation of persimmon
preservative liquid started following the proper kakishibu
procedure. The persimmons were washed and theircalyxes removed with the help of sharpened timber. Useof a knife was restricted. They were then put into a
traditional mortar made from an oak tree and then pounded
by a pestle which was also made of oak. The crushed
persimmons were then put into a bucket and mixed
thoroughly with distilled water, which was poured in until
it reached the level of the persimmon pulp. Then thebucket was covered with a lid and additional cloth wasused to cover it to make it airtight and prevent dust fromentering. The mixture was thoroughly mixed twice a day.
A week later, the fermented liquid was extracted from the
mixture by filtration through a piece of cloth. The liquid
was then applied to all the timber components.
Conclusion
The restoration of Wangditse Lhakhang is still in progress.
Fabrication of all the timber components has been
completed. Construction of the external walls has reached
the first floor. Overall, 65% of the renovation works has
been completed as of today. The project is planned to becompleted by the end of 2018.

Fig.1 Front facade (East) of the Lhakhang before renovation

BhutanFig.2 Plan showing existing wall, dismantled wall and stone foundation discovered after excavation

Fig.3 Surface being prepared for wall stitchingFig.4 Wire mesh laid over the layer mortar

Fig.5 New wall constructed to stitch cracks on old wallFig.6 Red mark showing the location of drilled holes into which the grout was
injectedFig.7 Decayed timber components which were not exposed to the air

Fig.8 Reusable old timber members

6

Bhutan7

Fig.9 Persimmon being crushed with traditional mortar and pestle made of oak

Fig.10 Crushed persimmon being mixed with distilled water

Fig.11 Applying fermented persimmon liquid to new timber components

Fig.12 The timber components being allowed to dry after application of thepersimmon liquidCambodia
Vitharong Chan, Deputy Director
Department for Safeguarding and Preservation of Monuments, General Department of Cultural Heritage,
Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts will implement a risk
mapping and monitoring project of ancient monuments inthe southern region of Cambodia. This project is funded by
the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation 2016.
The signing agreement for this project between the Ministry
and the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia was held on September
26, 2016 at Phnom Da, in front of Prasat Asram Moharusi.

The project aims to contribute to the safeguarding oftemples in the southern region. There are more than 2,238
temples in the southern part of Cambodia, but only 64
temples still remain standing. The 24 most important
temples are the following:

No.

Site*

Province

1

Pr. Phnom Cheung Prei (group of monuments)

Kampong Cham

12° 3'46.66"N

104°59'23.43"E2

Wat Tang Kok

Kampong Cham

12° 8'5.54"N

104°56'24.00"E3

Kampong Cham

12° 6'16.61"N

104°56'58.30"E

Kampong Cham

12°10'53.31"N

105°11'39.44"E5

Pr. Kok Khvet
Pr. Preah Theat Tuk Chha (group ofmonuments)
Pr. Han Chey (3 towers)

Kampong Cham

12° 9'43.88"N

105°31'41.64"E6

Pr. Kampong Preah (2 towers)

Kampong Chhnang

12°29'35.12"N

104°28'26.65"E7

Pr. Phnom Ponnareay (2 towers)

Kampong Chhnang

12°24'35.90"N

104°44'24.50"E

8

Pr. Sakhla

Kampong Chhnang

12°25'6.41"N

104°47'41.01"E4

Coordinates

9Pr. SreiKampong Chhnang

12°23'57.34"N

104°48'39.46"E

10

Pr. Thnam Phdei

Kampong Chhnang

12°22'54.65"N

104°48'0.41"E

11

Pr. Kaek Pong

Kampong Speu

11°25'13.46"N

104°23'19.24"E

12

Pr. Phnom Chhngok

Kampot10°38'34.51"N

104°16'9.64"E13

Pr. Phnom Khyang

Kampot10°36'32.65"N

104°31'0.70"E

14

Pr. Phnom Toteong

Kampot10°41'47.80"N

104°31'22.04"E

15

Pr. Wat Tani

Kampot10°46'31.60"N

104°39'47.51"E

16

Pr. Preah Theat Chong Srok

Prei Veng

11°44'55.82"N

105°21'32.29"E17

Pr. Phnom Ta Mao

Takeo

11°18'4.94"N

104°48'5.66"E18

Pr. Phnom Thma Doh

Takeo

11°18'6.15"N

104°47'57.52"E

19

Pr. Phnom Da (2 towers and 7 grottos)

Takeo

10°57'51.88"N

104°59'18.63"E20

Pr. Phnom Bayang (group of monuments)

Takeo

10°38'39.33"N

104°50'20.53"E21

Pr. Cheung Ang

Thbong Khmum

11°52'49.90"N

105°48'23.65"E22

Pr. Preah Samdei

Thbong Khmum

11°52'42.92"N

105°47'7.09"E

23

Pr. Prei Ki

Thbong Khmum

11°51'19.89"N

105°47'24.64"E

Pr. Banteay Prei Nokor (group of monuments)

Thbong Khmum

11°47'49.03"N

105°44'50.37"E

24

Cambodia

Risk Mapping and Monitoring of Ancient Monuments in the Southern Region of Cambodia* Pr. = Prasat (temple)

These temples are uniquely noted for their primitive
architecture and man-made caves, and were mostly builtof brick during the late 6th to early 9th centuries CE. Most ofthem were classified as the principal temples for the mostsignificant pre-Angkorian period monuments, which arevery important to the Khmer cultural heritage and forancient architectural studies. The architecture, works of art
and inscriptions of those sites constitute the most significant
and complete early expression of a distinct Khmer culturethat drew upon and adapted Indian architectural concepts
and iconography and their accompanying artistic styles,
which means that the temples exhibit the achievement ofadvances in Khmer architecture in the primitive period.
Additionally, those sites continue to be used for the
purposes for which they were established, namely
architectural extensions and traditional worship, from thepre-Angkorian to post-Angkorian periods.

Aims and activities of the projectThis project will create technical and architectural
documentation in order to help protect the temples fromemergencies. As a result of this project, architectural
drawings will provide a detailed extension of the national
database of Khmer monuments known as CISARK (http://
www.site-archeologique-khmer.org). This project will leadto the sustainability of efforts to safeguard and conserve
the monuments in the future; however, human resource
training activities are also included in the project. The
result of the project will be provided to the Ministry’s longterm conservation framework for the southern region.
The project and related budget will cover 24 months’ worthof activities along with other main activities. The first activity
will involve an architectural survey of the existing featuresof each temple. This survey of architectural data will be the8Cambodia

first step among other working processes. The necessary
data will be surveyed through photography and 3D
Photoscan for example. For some special classified temples,architectural measurements will also be taken such as plans,elevations and sections by a total station measurement
instrument. The documentation will be preserved in a digitalarchive for future research and conservation.
The second one will be carrying out risk mapping. The risk
mapping will begin at the same time as the architectural data
survey. This work is the most important part of the project,
and will apply to each temple at least once. The technicalteam will evaluate the risks of each temple in advance
before starting the data survey and risk mapping. On theother hand, temples with decoration remaining such as basreliefs, paintings and inscriptions will also be paid muchattention. A digital data survey of those decoration parts will
be done. For the inscriptions, rubbing on the inscriptions
will be done and this new documentation will be used as acomparison with any old documents that still exist. These
data will then facilitate the study of art and inscriptions.
The third main activity will be to provide first aid / emergency
conservation. After the first risk assessment, we also have aproject for carrying out emergency work on those basreliefs, paintings and inscriptions which are at high risk. To
conserve these elements of temples including those at highrisk or susceptible to hazards, they will be supported toprevent any further loss and in fact strengthened.
The fourth activity will be risk monitoring. After obtaining
the result of the data survey and evaluation of the risks ofall temples, the plan to observe the progress of those risks
will be conducted by the technical team. The monitoring
will mainly focus on: a. Movement/vibration of the parts indanger, b. Strength of materials, c. Problems in theconstruction technique.

For temples which have a problem with trees andunwanted plants, we will do clearances, but only if it will
not affect the balance of the temples. This project will alsoendeavor to find a better solution for tree clearance fromthe temples. The result of this step will be used for the
next conservation activities. At the end of this project, areport will be prepared and published. A final report will
be drawn up based on the results of the project.
Result and Outreach Plans
We intend to publish the architectural drawings of temples
in a separate volume from the final report as an extensionof the previous documentation. Moreover, these drawings
and selected photos of the state of conservation willcomplement the Khmer Archaeological Sites website(http://www.site-archeologique-khmer.org/) as part of thetechnical development efforts of the Ministry.
Additionally, to afford the public diversity of information
on Khmer architectural studies, we plan to create a
database in the Document Center at the Department of
Safeguarding and Preservation of Monuments of the 3D
Photoscan results for university students and researchers,
as well as conservators. To help with the sustainability of
the conservation project, RUFA students will be selected
for training as surveyors in a six month program. They willbe trained by technical staff from the Department to assist
the technical staff in surveying and measuring the existingarchitecture. Additionally, they will also be introduced to
how to map and monitor the risks to the temple.
Furthermore, the activities under the project will be joinedby people surrounding the site, who will be part of theeffort to increase awareness of how to care for theircommunity’s heritages.

Fig. 1 Location map of the sites and detail (Map: Google Earth 2016)9Cambodia

Fig. 2 Location map of the sites and detail (Map: Google Earth 2016)

Fig. 3 The main tower of Prasat Phnom Cheung Prei

Fig. 4 Stupas of Wat Tang Kok

10

Cambodia
Fig. 5 Prasat Kok Khvet (Photo: LENG Piseth)Fig. 6 The main tower of Prasat Preah Theat Tuk Chha

Fig. 7 A tower of Prasat Han Chey

Fig. 8 Prasat Kampong Preah

Fig. 9 Prasat Phnom Ponnareay

11

Fig. 10 Prasat Sakhla

Cambodia

Fig. 11 Prasat Srei

Fig. 12 Prasat Thnam Phdei

Fig. 13 Prasat Kaek Pong

Fig. 14 Prasat Phnom Chhngok

Fig. 15 Prasat Phnom Khyang

Fig. 16 Prasat Phnom Toteong

12Cambodia
Fig. 17 Prasat Wat Tani

Fig. 19 Prasat Phnom Ta Mao

Fig. 21 Prasat Asram Moharusi, Phnom Da

13

Fig. 18 Prasat Preah Theat Chong Srok

Fig. 20 Prasat Phnom Thma Doh

Fig. 22 Main tower of Prasat Phnom Bayang

Cambodia

Fig. 23 Prasat Cheung Ang

Fig. 24 Prasat Preah Samdei

Fig. 25 Prasat Prei Ki

Fig. 26 Prasat Preah Theat Thom, Banteay Prei Nokor

Fig. 27 The signing ceremony attended by the Minister of Culture and Fine Arts and the U. S.
Ambassador in front of Prasat Asram Moharusi, Phnom Da(Photo: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts)

14

IndiaIndia

Exterior Restoration of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Mumbai, India
Kunkuma Devi Kishore, Architect and Conservation Consultant
Good Earth Office, Bangalore, India
Introduction
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, formerly
known as the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India,
is one of the premier art and history museums in India. It

is situated on the southern tip of Mumbai close to theiconic Gateway of India and is listed as a Grade I Heritage
Building. It has been awarded the 'UNESCO Asia – Pacific
Heritage Award' for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

A view of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Vastu Sangrahalay Museum from the entrance

A view of the left wing of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu
Sangrahalay from the garden

A Brief History
The foundation stone of the museum was laid by the Princeof Wales in 1905, and the museum was named Prince ofWales Museum of Western India. The building wascompleted in 1914 but it opened to the public much laterin 1922. Until then it was used by the military as a hospitaland for Children’s Welfare Exhibitions. The architect of thebuilding, George Wittet, was selected after an open
competition in 1909, and is more popularly known for his
design of the Gateway of India. Wittet is widely known for
the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture of which thismuseum is one of the best examples in Mumbai.

the role of Project Leader (execution) for the restoration
project. This article comprises a number of excerpts andphotos taken from the conservation report prepared forthe restoration works undertaken, in addition to theauthor’s descriptions.

The Architectural Style
The Indo-Saracenic style combines native Indo-Islamic andIndian architecture with the Gothic revival and NeoClassical styles favoured inVictorian Britain, and was usedby the British in India in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Indian pillared hall, the arched pavilion, and the dome
rising above the huge intersecting arches forming abeautiful geometrical pattern together make the museum
building a typical example of the Indo-Saracenic style.
Small openings in the traditional Indian style known as jalis
for light and wind add to the grandeur of the building. The
dome of this building is designed after the Gol Gumbaz ofBijapur and the finial is copied from the Taj Mahal at Agra.
Today, this museum houses about 50,000 artefacts and has
an outstanding collection comprising sculptures, terracotta
and bronzeware, excavated artefacts from Harappan sites,
Indian miniature paintings, European paintings, porcelain
and ivories from China and Japan, etc. Besides these, themuseum has a separate Natural History section.
The Mysore-based firm Ravi Gundu Rao and Associates
was awarded the contract for execution of the exterior
restoration works. I was fortunate enough to be assigned

15

Assessment of Existing Condition and Implementation of
Restoration Works
A detailed assessment of all the components of the building
exterior was undertaken to analyze the existing conditionand propose repair works to restore and conserve thebuilding. The flat roof area was found to be in fairly goodcondition. The cracks in the existing china mosaic, which
was perhaps a later addition, required resealing along theentire surface area and wall junctions so as to ensure total
water proofing of the roof. The coastal city of Mumbai
receives very high rainfall during the monsoons anddamage due to water is a major concern along all thebuilding components. The central main and the adjacentsmaller domes too required similar treatment to enhancetheir water proofing efficiency. The china mosaic surface
also required a thorough cleaning as lots of dirt and grime
had covered the entire surface over decades. The
inappropriate terrace slopes, where present, were to becorrected so as to ensure smooth runoff of rainwater andprevent stagnation. If not done, stagnant water would
inevitably seep into the roof through the waterproofing
layers and eventually cause damage. All the drain mouths
were required to be protected by SS (stainless steel) meshso as to prevent dry leaves and other dust particles fromchoking the CI (cast iron) rainwater down-take pipes.
The cement chemical membrane coating on the china
mosaic of the main dome was removed by scraping andwater washing with a non ionic detergent, followed byfurther scraping and cleaning with brass fine wire brushes.

IndiaThe discoloured main central dome withdust and grime deposits

The China mosaic dome during the cleaning process

The original shine on the white dome after the non-abrasive andnon-chemical cleaning process

Leaking rainwater pipes and poorly managed storm waterdrainage on the terrace

The process of removal of the membrane was repeateduntil the original shine of the china mosaic was seen,
followed by rubbing dry white cement to bring back theoriginal glaze. The small domes were grouted by drilling
holes through the china mosaic surface of the dome up to
the depth of the inner concrete base and fixing 12 mm
diameter pipe nipples at 1 meter c/c staggered spacing inboth directions with removable putty. Acrylic polymer
grout mixed with white cement was used in a standard
grout pump, with calibrations to avoid rupturing of theshell. The same procedure was followed to grout the flat
terrace area also. All the drain-mouths on the terrace werecleaned, the objects that had led to choking cleared,
broken spouts replaced, and inner slopes corrected andprotected by SS mesh.

Clogged drain-mouths on the terrace surface that had prevented complete
drainage of surface runoff rainwater

Removal of f㘶cus growth and application of chemicals in the crevices to killroots and prevent further growth

The original rainwater drainage system was thoroughly
inspected during monsoons to check for leakages andseepages as well as assess the functioning of the existing
CI down-take pipe sections, and those found to be faulty
or extensively corroded were to be replaced entirely or inpart and along the bends. Faulty down-take pipes werecausing moisture ingress in the masonry walls. The soil
pipes were also to be replaced in part if there were any

16IndiaLeaking water pipes give rise to f㘶cus growth andseepage of water into the masonry surface

New reinforcement along the chajja and shuttering in progressfor repair using acrylic polymer, cement and quartz sanddamage or malfunctions found. New 100 mm diameter CI
rainwater down-take pipe sections and soil pipes were
fixed using MS clamps, screws and fixtures along specified
locations including bends, and the joints were filled withlead. These were painted with primer enamel paint tomatch the stone color. Barbed wire was wound around thepipes and MS clamps were fixed, where missing, along all
the rainwater and soil pipes.

polymer, cement and quartz sand in appropriate proportionof weight were applied in layers to repair the chajja slabs
after suitably shuttering along the edges.

The chajjas (sunshades/eaves/overhang) with brackets,
beams and slabs beneath were found to have deteriorated,
and there was de-laminated plaster along some portions aswell as exposed and/or corroded steel reinforcements.
These needed to be structurally consolidated. The
deteriorated plaster and concrete of the chajjas, beams
and slabs were removed after adequate propping, the steel
reinforcements were cleaned with wire brushes andrusticide, and chemical coating was applied. Acrylic

Discoloured masonry wall surface with dirt grime andsalt deposits on the left and a cleaned clear surface on the right17

Ficus growth was found on the wall surfaces along thedifferent components of the building, indicating defects inpointing and the presence of cracks and crevices incornices and walls, brackets and other ornamental stone
works. It was also proof of inadequate drainage of storm
water. The plant growth was removed by pulling out theroot systems embedded in the masonry, cutting the stems
and roots, and the application of patented chemical
biocide such as ‘Glycol’ so as to prevent any re-growth.
The area was then made good with lime and mortar.
The building is constructed using two types of stone: dark
and hard basalt stone, and soft beige trackite. The stone
surface had discoloured due to dust, dirt, pollution andDiscoloured urns and f㘶nials and other decorative elements with dirt grimeand salt deposits on the right and a cleaned and repaired surface on the left

Temporary partitions using 4 mm thick commercial plywood
were fixed to isolate the windows and other interior areasfrom the water misting and other works on the exterior

Cleaning discoloured surfaces usingthe water misting technique
witha calibrated pressure pump and nozzle

Masonry walls with ribbon cement pointing removed,
re-pointing done in lime mortar, and washing using the misting techniqueafter blocking all openings temporarily using plywood boards

façade before commencing the restoration works. The stone
surface of the walls were gently cleaned with the ‘Water
Misting’ technique employing an air water jet using a finenozzle sprinkling system calibrated to spray a fine mist
along the stone surface followed up by gentle brushing with
soft nylon brushes. Chemical thinners and solvents wereused to remove stubborn oil and emulsion stains on thestringer courses, decorative elements and stone surfaces.
Clay poulticing was also adopted where required.

portions of all the walls at some point in time, which not
only ruined the aesthetic value of the building but also
prevented the effective breathing of the masonry walls. All
the hard ribbon cement pointing was removed by raking
out incongruous mortar very carefully so as not to damage
the masonry, and re-pointing was done in lime mortar in a
1:3 ratio to match the original colour using traditional
additive materials like katha. The missing pointing work
along the entire exterior surface of the building masonryand decorative elements was also undertaken in a similarmanner. Specialised tools and masking tape were used toensure clear lines and a high level of workmanship on site.

The original lime mortar pointing on the stone facade had
been replaced by cement-based ribbon pointing on many

Tools used to remove the stubborn cement pointing, rake out incongruous
mortar and carry out re-pointing in lime mortar

The ribbon cement pointing seen on the upper half ofthe corner tower has been added, while the originallime mortar pointing can be seen on the lower halfParts of the ornamental Malad Stone urns like the finials,
carved bases or the domes were either missing or damaged.
Some portions of the masonry walls had small as well as
major cracks and severely distressed stone sections in Kurla
Basalt. New finials, stone bulbs and caps etc in matching
Malad stone were carved by skilled craftsmen and fixed todamaged, missing stone guldastas, chhatris and otherornamental stone work in the urns. They were fixed with
SS dowels and epoxy plugs by making the necessary
grooves, keys and jointing etc with lime mortar andpozzollanic additives such as brick surkhi or white cement.

Where such elements of the ornamental work were foundto be loosely held or lying around on the ground, they
were re-fixed using the same method as above.

India

salt deposits over the decades and required water andchemical cleaning.

The cracks in the cornices and masonry walls were repairedby raking out to form a groove and grouting, using acrylic
polymer embedding 12mm diameter pipes. Wider, bigger or
structural cracks in cornices and masonry walls were stitchedusing two 250 mm long 8 mm diameter SS bars for every
400 mm of crack. A certain type of repair called Dutchman
repair was adopted for severely distressed Kurla basalt stone18

India19

Removal of ribbon cement pointing

Re-pointing in lime mortar after covering the sides with masking tape

The domes and f㘶nials of the guldastas were in a damaged condition. The
fallen domes were collected and ref㘶xed again

A newly carved guldasta dome and f㘶nial f㘶xed besidean original and existing one

pieces of the masonry sections. It involved fixing new piecesof stone by using stainless steel pins threaded at the end
after carefully cutting out the damaged profile.

panelled fanlights that were in poor condition were also
repaired using BTC, and received enamel paint on theexterior surface and French polish on the inner surface.

The windows and doors also required major repair work,
given their exposure to extensive rainfall over the years.
Some of the shutters required complete replacement due tothe dilapidated wooden members while parts of thedecorative molding and details were missing in others. The
clear glass glazing panels were also broken, cracked or
missing in many windows. The painted layers on theexteriors of doors and windows and the polished layers on
the interior side were cracked, peeling off and discolored.
All the pointing along the doors, windows, and ventilators
were distressed and in need of replacement to prevent
further damage due to water seepage through these joints.
The existing paint and polish layers from all the door andwindow frames and shutters on the exterior of the building
were removed by careful scraping using sandpaper. One
coat of primer and three coats of enamel paint were applied
to the exterior surface, and French polish was applied tothe inner surfaces. New window shutters were made andfixed with heavy duty brass hardware and clear glass
glazing, all matching the original design. Where parts of thewindows and doors like moulding, details and frames weredamaged or missing, they were restored by the carpentersretaining as much of the original wooden members as
possible, or replaced with new well-seasoned good-quality
Burma Teak wood (BTC) where required. The glass

The building line was edged with lawns, shrubs and green
trees, which would eventually lead todamage of the building
foundation and seepage through the plinth. The building
did not have proper site drainage to drain the storm watercollected from the roof through rain water pipes. This had
caused rising dampness in the wall through the foundation,
there by leading to serious damage to the interior plaster. An
effective method for storm water management of the main
museum building was proposed. The area along the building
perimeter was excavated up to a width of 1 metre and a
depth of 1.2 metres for the foundation and tuck pointing
provided with cement mortar for the stone masonry.
Grouting was injected through holes in the masonryfoundation by a pressure pump using cement slurry andplasticised expanding admixtures to fill any hollowed out
portions, thus strengthening it. The bed was prepared forthe foundation and after the necessary backfilling, ramming
and watering, soling was done using 80 mm size trap metal
in 15 c. The voids were filled with sand.
The exterior restoration works were followed by a detailed
study of the interior conditions, and interior restoration
works were undertaken.

Indonesia
Indonesia

Cibanten River Expedition
Dewi Puspito Rini, Archaeologist
Heritage Preservation Office of Banten, Ministry of Education and CultureRivers, which we know as the waterways that drain waterfrom upstream to downstream regions, have long played
an important role in human civilization. It has been provenby history that rivers in the past were an integral part of acommunity’s activities that formed its cultural character,which make rivers as an important part of human life.
The oldest such historical evidence is the very well knownrole of the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers to the civilization ofancient Iraq, and the role of the Nile River to ancient
Egyptian civilization. Rivers also led to the rise of theancient Indonesian kingdoms. In Sumatra, for example,
the Musi River contributed to the growth of the kingdoms
in South Sumatra -Sriwijaya and Palembang Sultanate- as
did the Batanghari River to the kingdoms in Jambi. In
Kalimantan, we obtained proof that the great kingdoms inthis region grew on the banks of rivers, which were the
Mahakam and Kapuas Rivers; in Java, the Bengawan Solofor the Hindu Buddhist kingdoms in Central Java and East
Java; and the Brantas River to the kingdoms in East Java,
which were Kediri, Singhasari, and Majapahit. In thewestern part of Java, there were some important towns
whose growth was affected by the presence of the rivers
that connected them to the coastal and inland areas, suchas the Ciliwung River for Sunda Kelapa port city and the
Cibanten River for the central government in Banten
Girang and Banten Lama.

Banten Girang site

canals in Banten Lama were connected with the Cibanten
River. It should be understood that along the Cibanten
River, from Banten Girang to Banten Lama, there is still alot of data that has not been revealed. Of course, there
were many factors involved in the location of governmentsin the past, but they always looked at the river as a starting
point in selecting the location of the central government in
Banten. Based on that historical evidence, in October
2015, the Heritage Preservation Office of Banten held a
Cibanten River Expedition. The Heritage Preservation

In the past, one of the roles of rivers in the Indonesianarchipelago was to act as transportation lines, connecting
the heartland to coastal areas. The heartland in the past
produced a variety of crops that were exported to otherregions. To transport the crops, rivers were the main
choice and the easiest method for sending goods toward
the coastal areas at that time. Also taking into account theneed for water sources for daily use, it is not surprisingthat people in the past lived not far from a river.
As mentioned above, one of the rivers in Banten province,
Indonesia which had such a role in the past was the
Cibanten River. Cultural remains that were discoveredaround the river prove that the Cibanten River played asignificant role in the past. One of the best-known remains
is Banten Girang. This kingdom chose to place theadministrative center of the kingdom on the banks of the
Cibanten. After Banten Girang ceased to exist, theadministrative center was taken over by the Sultanate of
Banten, which also placed the central government not far
from the Cibanten River, located in the coastal areas of
Banten Gulf. In the same way, the center of colonial rulein Banten, which was housed on residency, was also
located at the edge of the Cibanten River.
The connection between Banten Girang as the central
government of the Hindu kingdom and the Sultanate of
Banten in Banten Lama was the Cibanten River. In fact, theCibanten River expedition team down in the river20

Indonesia

Office of Banten invited people from all walks of life toparticipate in the event. The objective of the expedition
was to record the potential of cultural heritage along theflow of the Cibanten River, Banten Province.

Gedung Juang 45 is located on Ki Mas Jong Street,
Serang City. During the Japanese occupation ofIndonesia, this building was used as the headquartersof the Kempeitai.

After they went down into the Cibanten River, theexpedition team obtained some important data. Based onarchaeological evidence found along the stream, the areaaround the Cibanten River has been inhabited by humans
since prehistoric times. In the next period, the role of the
Cibanten River increased in importance and served theSultanate of Banten as an international port. Some cultural
heritage was successfully recorded by the Cibanten River
Expedition, as follows:

4. Banten Residence Building
Banten Residence Building is located on K.H. Syam'unStreet, Serang city. The building, which dates back toaround 1814, initially served as a residence office.

1. Banten Girang Site
Banten Girang site is located in Telaya Kampoong,Sempu village, Serang city. Banten Girang existed
between 932 and 1030 AD. At Banten Girang site, there
is a cave with three rooms, which were used for
meditation. In the mid 1990s, a Dwarapala statue wasfound in the Cibanten River, not far from Banten Girang
site. It shows that Banten Girang still holds many
interesting questions for further study.
2. Kaujon Ancient Mosque
Kaujon Ancient Mosque is located in RM. HS.
Jayadiningrat Street, Kaujon Afternoon Market
Kampoong, Serang Village, Serang city. The constructionof Kaujon Ancient Mosque was influenced by HinduBuddhist decorative art. The lower profile of themosque was adapted from a temple. The terraced roofof the mosque was also adapted from a temple roof.

Banten Residence Building

5. Kenari MosqueThis mosque is located in Kenari Kampoong, Kasemen
subdistrict, Serang city. There is no exact data about theestablishment of Kenari Mosque. Folklore says that
Kenari Mosque was built during the rule of Sultan Abu
Mufachir Abdul Kenari (1596 - 1651 AD). He was thefirst ruler of the Sultanate of Banten, who acquired thetitle "sultan" from Mecca.

Kaujon Ancient Mosque

3. Gedung Juang 45
The gate near Kenari Mosque

6. Kasunyatan Mosque
Kasunyatan Mosque is located on Karangantu Port
Street, Kasunyatan Village, Kasemen subdistrict, Serangcity. There is no exact data on the construction of
Kasunyatan Mosque. However, based on folklore, themosque was founded by the spiritual teacher of Sultan
Maulana Muhammad around the mid-sixteenth century.

Gedung Juang 45

21

Kasunyatan Mosque

7. Kaibon Palace Site
Kaibon Palace site is located in Kroya Kampoong,
Kasunyatan Village, Kasemen subdistrict, Serang city.
This palace was built in 1815, and became the second
palace in the Sultanate of Banten after Surosowan
Palace. Referred to by the name of Kaibon (Motherhood),Indonesia

the palace was built for the mother of the Sultan, Queen
Aisyah. At that time, as the 21st sultan of Banten
kingdom, Sultan Maulana Rafiudin was too young (fiveyears old) to hold the reins of government. So, Queen
Aisyah temporarily acted as a regent until her son was
ready to rule.
The Cibanten River Expedition is trying to remindIndonesians that one of their cultural roots in the past that
may have been forgotten is the culture associated withrivers. The Cibanten River Expedition is trying to gather
information about the Cibanten River from different angles,
as well as to raise public awareness about the preservationof cultural heritage. The Cibanten River has great potential
to be developed, because the area along the flow of theriver still has some remains of the culture which spreadfrom Banten Girang to Banten Lama in the past. Expected
later, the Cibanten River Expedition can encourage andmotivate preservation of the Cibanten River that divides
the city of Serang.

Kaibon Palace site22

Malaysia
Malaysia

Restoration and Relocation of Rumah Bugis Traditional Timber House
from Kuala Selangor to Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Professor Dr. A Ghafar Bin Ahmad, Professor
School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Introduction
Built in the early 1900s, Rumah Bugis (Bugis house), also
known as the Red House, was owned by a Bugis chieftain(penghulu). The traditional timber house was erected anddecorated with features and elements of the Bugis identity.
Nonetheless, with the passage of time after three
generations, the house was left abandoned. The building
deteriorated due to termite infestation, roof leakage andpoor maintenance. Restoration works of the Bugis housestarted on 25 June 2015 with a contract value of RM498,806(USD119,888) secured by the Selangor State government
agency, Perbadanan Adat Melayu dan Warisan Negeri
Selangor (PADAT), who took the initiative to salvage,
restore and relocate the house from Kampung Permatang,
Kuala Selangor to the grounds of the Sultan Alam ShahMuseum in Shah Alam, Selangor, a distance of 73 km. The
project lasted for 10 months and was completed on 27
April 2016. The historical and architectural accounts of theBugis house were narrated by Haji Roslan Zainal, the third
heir to the Bugis house property.
Historical Background
The Bugis house was built by Mat Taib, a trader-cumcarpenter from Makassar (South Sulawesi, Indonesia) who
migrated to the Malay Peninsula during the period of
Dutch colonisation of Indonesia. This timber house wasbuilt during the reign of Raja Lumut, the first Sultan of
Selangor. Timber, which is available in abundance in thetropical Malay Peninsula, was drawn to the construction
site from a nearby village, Kampung Sawah Sempadan at
Tanjong Karang, Selangor using bullock carts. The use ofgood timber and appropriate techniques of timber
treatment can extend a house’s life by about 100 years.
Before the construction of the Bugis house at Kampung
Permatang, Kuala Selangor, an important ritual process,was performed by the owner and local folks to select thebest site and position for the house.
Architectural SignificanceRaised on timber stilts upon granite stones, the Bugis houseis divided into three sections: lowered verandah (serambi
jatuh), main area (rumah ibu) and kitchen (dapur). Thereis a small external staircase leading up to the main entrance
at the front verandah. An interval space (selang) exists
between the main area and the kitchen. The entire building
is relatively small in size with the main area measuring 28
square feet, and with a height of 20 feet from floor to roof.
The verandah, located at the front of the house, has many
openings including louvered casement windows andcarved lattice panels which provide good ventilation. It is acommon space for entertaining guests, villagers’ meetingsand discussions. The women folk and children spend mostof their time in the main area, which also leads to themaster bedroom. The Bugis house has a storage attic which
can be used as a resting space as well as for keeping home
appliances, mats and cooking pots used during weddings

23

and festivities. It is customary for young girls of the hostfamily to keep themselves hidden in the storage attic when
there are guests around in the house. Like most traditionaltimber houses, the Bugis house used thatched attap roofing
material made of palm leaves called nipah (Nypa fruticans).
The slightly curved and pitched roof of the Bugis housefeatures double-layered gable ends (tebar layar) with asmall window opening for both cross and stacked
ventilation. The entire house was constructed without theuse of a single nail. Instead, each building panel was locked
using timber peg frames and wedges. The building andcarpentry work was all done manually without any
machinery. The building frames including trusses, columns
and beams secured the timber wall panels, windows anddoors. Apart from providing good ventilation, the Bugis
house offers natural lighting through carved lattice panels
called kerawang. These intricate lattice panels decorated infloral motif carvings and geometric patterns adorned theupper walls of the house.
Building Defects
The Bugis house, which was left abandoned for a period oftime, deteriorated rapidly due to decayed timber structures,termite infestation, roof leakage and poor maintenance.
The kitchen section fell into a state of disrepair and was
demolished. A new annex was constructed using bricks,
timber and zinc roofing to replace the kitchen section. A
dilapidation survey was conducted prior to restoration
works to identify major defects of the house, causes of thedefects, methods and techniques of restoration as well as
relocation. Decayed timber structures, poor condition of
the palm leaf roofing, decayed windows and broken latticepanels were revealed as some of the common building
defects. An architectural drawing or measured drawing of
the house was drawn accurately to scale for reference
during restoration and relocation.
Restoration Works
During the restoration works scaffolding was erectedaround the Bugis house to support the building structures,
while temporary roofing of steel frames and corrugatedmetal decking was constructed above the house. This wasto ensure that the house was well protected from heavy
rainfall, particularly when the palm leaf roofing wasremoved and brought down to the ground. Two local
carpenters, Mazlan Haji Anuar and his young nephew
Muhammad Shafiq Kamaruddin, were engaged by themain contractor to restore and reconstruct the Bugis house.
The Bugis house was dismantled from roof to bottom
during a period of two weeks. Handling the broken anddecayed timber structures and building elements required
extra caution. Workers on site had to document thebuilding structures and elements in detail in order toreconstruct the house at a new site in Shah Alam, Selangor.
The dismantling process started from the roof to the roof
trusses, walls including lattice panels, windows and doors,Stage 1: Coding, Dismantling and Salvaging
i. Provide special codes for building structures andelements for reference.
ii. Dismantle the entire house and document thedismantling process in detail.
iii. Verify existing timber species and strength group.
iv. Identify timber condition.
v. Salvage any existing timber for reconstruction.
vi. Document the condition of the house through theHistorical Architectural Building Survey (HABS).
vii. Conduct video documentation of work on site.
Stage 2: Treatment, Transport and Relocation
i. Mark or label existing timber structures andelements for reference.
ii. Transport all dismantled building materials fromthe site to a sawmill in Kelang.
iii. Conduct timber treatment including repair,
replacement and replication.
iv. Upgrade timber species and strength group.
v. Pack and store treated old and new timber.
vi. Transport the timber structures and elements from
Kelang to Shah Alam.
vii. Document the treatment, transport and relocation
process.

Stage 3: Remeasuring, Reconstruction and Repainting
i. Identify a new site at museum grounds forreconstruction.
ii. Remeasure and peg the new site based on measured
drawings.
iii. Store building materials on site.
iv. Reconstruct the house in its original form anddesign.
v. Prepare for additional electrical appliances.
vi. Repaint the house with the original type of paintand colour.
vii. Document the reconstruction process in the HABS
and final reports.

Malaysia

floor boards, roof beams, floor beams, and finally, themain columns and stilts. The strut (tupang) system wasused in the dismantling process to avoid building collapse.
All building structures and elements were salvaged andmarked systematically before they were temporarily stored
on site. Preventive measures such as storage above groundsurface and termite treatment were conducted during
temporary storage. Restoration and relocation of the Bugis
house involved three main stages as follows:

Timber Verification and Strength GroupAll dismantled timber structures and elements weretransported to a sawmill at Kampung Padang Jawa, Kelang,Selangor (a distance of 63 km) for the process of timber
selection and classification. Seven samples of existing
timber structures and elements were taken from the Bugis
house and sent to the Malaysian Timber Industry Board(MTIB) in Kuala Lumpur for verification of the timber andstrength group (SG). Results from the MTIB showed thatsix out of the seven timber samples were between SG 4
and SG 6, i.e. moderately strong and very strong (seeTable 1). One timber sample which was used as the maincolumn was found to be extremely strong (SG 1). In termsof the new house structures, all existing columns were
replaced with extremely strong timber (SG 1) of either
Chengal Batu or Balau species. Other timber structuresand elements were a mix between new and old timber,and both were treated against termite infestation. Overall,
65 per cent new timber was used in the reconstruction of
the Bugis house, mainly for the main columns, wall panels,
floor boards and the attic staircase.

Table 1: Timber Verification and Strength Group for the Bugis House
No.

Timber sample

Sample size (mm)Species nameScientific Name

Strength Group (SG)1

Gable end

11 x 72

Light Red Meranti

Shorea spp.

62

Window

16 x 90

Dark Red Meranti

Shorea spp.

53

Wall panel

20 x 90

Dark Red Meranti

Shorea spp.

5

4

Wood carving

12 x 68

Yellow Meranti

Shorea spp.

65

Floor board

20 x 75

Perupok

Laphopetalum spp.

4

6

Column15 x 50

Kapur

Dryobalanops spp.

4

7

Main column

7 x 16Chengal Batu

Shorea maxwelliana

1

Source: Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), Kuala Lumpur, 2015
Reconstruction
Reconstruction of the Bugis house in the grounds of the
Sultan Alam Shah Museum began with the construction of aconcrete mix foundation floor to create a level surface.
Based on the measured drawings, the original granite stones
were positioned on the foundation floor in the exact layout
as those laid at the old site in Kampung Permatang, Kuala
Selangor. Once all the granite stones were secured in placeon the foundation floor, timber stilts were erected followedby floor beams, columns, beams, roof trusses, wall panelsand other building elements including windows, doors,
carved lattice panels and new staircases. Duringreconstruction of the Bugis house, scaffolding was erected tosupport the building structures and elements, installation of
new roofing materials, and repainting. One of the newelements introduced for the Bugis house is the roofing
material. Palm leaf roofing is not suitable because it requires
regular maintenance and replacement as well as being prone
to natural decay and insect attacks. Asphalt shingles of adark grey colour were used instead as the new roofing
material for the Bugis house. Asphalt shingles arecomparatively more durable, lower maintenance, lessexpensive in terms of up-front costs, and need only simple
installation. They are also flexible to match the original roof
shape and form. The Bugis house was repainted in its
original dark red colour using locally-produced oil-based24

Malaysia

paint (Cap Rumah brand from Kepong, Selangor). The
wood carving fixtures in the house interior were repainted ina shade of gold to revive their original colour. On 21 July
2016, the newly reconstructed Bugis house was officiallyhanded over to PADAT Chairman YB. Datuk Dr. Ahmad
Yusuf Hairi, witnessed by PADAT CEO Faizul Fitri Muslil, the
PADAT conservator, representatives of government agencies,
consultants, contractors, carpenters as well as family
members and relatives associated with the Bugis house.
Conclusion
The restoration and relocation of the Bugis house presents
a good example of a building conservation success story in
Malaysia. To ensure the project’s success, the Selangor State
government agency PADAT worked closely with theconservation team including the consultant quantity
surveyor, building conservator, building contractor andcarpenters to monitor the work progress and resolve any
technical matters through site meetings. At an earlier stage,
attempts to secure a storage space on a neighbouring lot
had failed due to a dispute over the rent to be charged.
Moreover, the approval letter issued by the Shah Alam City
Council to allow reconstruction of the Bugis house wasdelayed due to land conversion matters on site. More delays
were observed in the appointment of a third party for site
preparation and laying the foundation floor. The project
team also faced a number of challenges since most of thebuilding sections included decayed timber and were badly
damaged due to poor maintenance and termite infestation.
The salvaged timber was insufficient to reconstruct theentire house. Outsourcing of new timber with an upgraded
strength group also took considerable time since certain
timber species are more suitable for particular building
structures and elements. Using asphalt shingles as the newroofing material posed another challenge to carpenters androof installers, who needed to maintain the original shape ofthe slightly curved and pitched roofs.
Despite these challenges, the reconstruction of the Bugis
house shows evidence of inheritance, with invaluable
carpentry knowledge and skills being passed down from anolder and more experienced carpenter to a young
apprentice. It is recommended that more trainee carpenters
involve themselves in the traditional methods and techniques
for the conservation and repair of traditional timber houses.
The initiatives undertaken by PADAT in ensuring the

The front elevation of the Bugis house showing its timber stilts, louvered
casement windows and decorated wall panels.

25

protection and restoration of traditional timber houses in
Selangor including the Bugis house are highly commendable.
The restoration and relocation of the Bugis house could not
be completed successfully without the full support, goodcommunication and amicable cooperation of those involvedin the project at all levels. The entire team must be equippedwith the necessary knowledge, materials, and skills, as well
as a positive attitude and outlook to retain and upkeep thelegacy of traditional timber houses. Today, the Bugis housestands proudly in the grounds of the Sultan Alam ShahMuseum, to be valued and appreciated by all generations,and it has become a popular attraction amongst local andforeign tourists in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
Acknowledgements
The author wishes to thank the Selangor State Government,
particularly Perbadanan Adat Melayu dan Warisan Negeri
Selangor (PADAT) and its Chairman, YB. Datuk Dr. Ahmad
Yusuf Hairi, CEO Faizul Fitri Muslil, and Project Officers
Intan Salina Idrus and Mohamad Noor Hisham Ibrahim;
QS Consultant SG Contract Services, Contractor Saharruddin
Construction Sdn. Bhd., Building Conservator Shahruddin
Shabri, Carpenters Mazlan Haji Anuar and Muhammad
Shafiq Kamaruddin; the School of Housing Building and
Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM); and USM LRGS
Local Knowledge Project 3 Team (LRGS/TD/2012/USMUKM/KT/03) for making this project and article possible.
References
Hafizah Iszahanid, “Rumah Bugis 100 Tahun Dipulihara”,
Berita Harian, 26 July 2016, p. 33.
Hasshim Abu Hanifah, “The Red House: A Traditional
Bugis Abode”, Selangor Perspectives, 2006, p. 40-41.
Jabatan Warisan Negara, (2016), Garis Panduan
Pemuliharaan Bangunan Warisan, Kuala Lumpur:
Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia.
Malaysian Timber Industrial Board, http://www.mtib.gov.
my, retrieved on 26 October 2016.
Nor Azihan Md. Ghazali, “Rumah Bugis Jadi Tarikan
Baharu: Struktur Tradisional Berharga RM400,000
Ditempatkan Di Pekarangan Muzium Sultan Alam Shah”,
Sinar Harian, 22 July 2016, p. 38.

The right elevation of the Bugis house showing its external staircase leading
to the entrance door, carved lattice panels, louvered casement windows of
two sizes, double-layered gable end with a small window and a pitch roof.

Malaysia

The left elevation of the Bugis house showing the two f㘶oor levels
which are the lowered verandah (serambi jatuh) and main area (rumah ibu).

The front view of the Bugis house in 1999 revealing building defects
such as a missing gable end, broken carved lattice panels anddecayed thatched attap roof made of palm leaves.

View of the Bugis house in 2014 after it was left abandoned and had
deteriorated rapidly due to decayed timber structures, termite infestation,
roof leakage and poor maintenance.

Carved lattice panels (kerawang) decorated in f㘶oral motif carvings andgeometric patterns adorned the upper walls of the Bugis house.

Painted in a shade of gold, the intricate f㘶oral motif carvings
above the door frame ref㘶ect highly-skilled carpentry.

The entire Bugis house was constructed without the use of a single nailbut it was locked using timber peg frames and wedges.

Decayed timber stilt and f㘶oor beam due to natural decay and termite
infestation.

During the dismantling stage, scaffolding was erected around the Bugis
house to support the building structures, while temporary roof㘶ng wasconstructed above the house to protect the interior from heavy rainfall.

26

Malaysia
Special codes were marked on timber elements before
dismantling and salvaging.

All timber structures including stilts, f㘶oor beams and f㘶oor joists weremarked and coded for reference.

Dismantling the Bugis house.

Dismantled louvered casement windows were taken down to the groundfor investigation and salvaging.

All dismantled timber structures and elements were transported to a sawmill
for the process of timber selection and classif㘶cation.

Timber structures and elements were repaired, replaced and replicatedat a sawmill in Kampung Padang Jawa, Kelang, Selangor.

Restoration of casement window panel in progress.

27

All new and old timber structures were treated against termite infestation.

Malaysia

Carpenters handling a newly restored gable end.

Treated timber structures and elements were loaded onto a truck at thesawmill before being transported to the new site.

The Sultan Alam Shah Museum in Shah Alam where the Bugis house
was reconstructed at a new site next to this museum.

Reconstruction of the Bugis house in the grounds of the Sultan Alam ShahMuseum began with the construction of a concrete-mix foundation f㘶oor tocreate a level surface.

During reconstruction of the Bugis house, scaffolding was erected to support
the building structures and elements, installation of new roof㘶ng materials
and repainting.

Installation of asphalt shingles on the roof.

View of the Bugis house during reconstruction.
Front view of the Bugis house after reconstruction.

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Malaysia
29

Right elevation of the Bugis house after reconstruction.

Interior view of the verandah after reconstruction.

Newly restored f㘶oral motif carvings and geometric patterns on the upper
walls.

Storage attic featuring double-layered gable end,
small opening and pitched roof ceiling after reconstruction.

On 21 July 2016, the newly reconstructed Bugis house was off㘶cially handed
over to PADAT Chairman, YB. Datuk Dr. Ahmad Yusuf Hairi, witnessed by
PADAT CEO, Faizul Fitri Muslil and
PADAT conservator Profesor Dr. A Ghafar Ahmad.

View of the Bugis house at night illuminated with f㘶oodlighting.

Maldives
Maldives

Cowrie—an Early Global Commodity: An Archaeological Research on the Islamic Period of theMaldive Islands
Shiura Jaufar, Archaeologist
Department of Heritage, Republic of Maldives
Cowrie shells, most importantly Cyprea Moneta, played apivotal role and were a valuable commodity during theearly global trade and exchange that took place around theworld. They were used as a currency in many parts of theworld and were exchanged for various kinds of goods aswell as African slaves. According to several historicalsources, it has often been suggested that the Maldives werethe main exporter of these shells. The use of cowries in the
trade links along the Indian Ocean trade network as well as
the production and importance were mentioned by several
authors from the ninth century onwards; however, this had
never been tested archaeologically. Thus in December
2014, Prof. Anne Haour from the University of East Anglia
received a grant from the Leverhulme Trust to conduct
research in the Maldives as part of a research project
investigating the timescale and nature of the importation of
cowrie shells into West Africa from 1150 to 1900.
This paper will briefly report on the archaeologicalfieldwork undertaken in early 2016 in the Maldives, which
involved test excavations at three sites (Ha. Utheemu, K.
Male’ and M. Veyvah). Broader surveys were also
conducted mainly in Raa Atoll, which will not be discussed
in this paper. The field team consisted of the Principal
Investigator Prof. Anne Haour, Post-Doctoral Researcher
Dr. Annalisa Christie, and the author as the PhD candidate
for the project. The aim of the research was to identify
sites likely to date to the medieval Islamic period.
The first site excavated was the island of Utheemu in Haa
Alifu Atoll. Utheemu is a rather important island in the
country’s history, and reports of the discovery of a cowrie
hoard along with various artefacts (including pottery andglass) apparently indicative of medieval trade had been
received from the island. Five test pits were dug in four
different areas of the island, including two units inside the
Utheemu Palace. The other three units were placed within
the current football field, a mound behind the palace andwithin a field nearby that had been marked as a tourism zone
on the island. Test-pit methods and sizes differed per unit
according to the nature and occurrence of the site within thearea. Of the five units excavated, the palace and the tourism

zone trenches were the most productive. Finds included
several sherds of pottery, glass (including bracelets) andmetal fragments, charcoal, shells (including cowries), faunal
remains (mostly fish bones), coral stone blocks as well as afemale grave in one unit of the palace and one bead.
Male’ was the next site to be excavated—this had been
historically, as well as today, the capital island of theMaldives. The Sultan’s Park where the former palace once
stood was selected for excavations since it is one of the
only remaining open spaces in Male’, being one of theworld’s most densely populated islands with few prospects
for a study of undisturbed remains. This park consists of
the only surviving building of the former palace structures(Usgekolhu) and eight shovel-test pits were establishedwithin the empty area in front of the building. The finds
were similar to Utheemu with the exception of humanbones and beads. There was less pottery than at Utheemu,
but more cowries.
The island of Veyvah in Meemu atoll was the final site for
excavation and was selected due to the presence of anancient coral stone mosque (about 400 years old) on theisland, and also because it offered good prospects for astudy of undisturbed levels. Due to most of the open
spaces being used for habitation, excavations weretargeted within the agricultural fields around the island.
Five units were excavated in different areas, of which
three units provided promising results. The finds from thisisland were also similar to those discovered at Utheemu
and Male’, again with the exception of human bones andless pottery. One bead was also discovered on this island.
To sum up, this is an ongoing project and the findings andresults of the first season are currently being studied. The
second season of fieldwork will take place next year. At
this point, the author would like to thank the project teamat the University of East Anglia, United Kingdom;
Department of Heritage, Maldives National Museum,
Academy of Dhivehi Language, Boduthakurufaanu
Memorial Center and all the atoll and island councils in theMaldives for their continuous support for this project.

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Maldives
Fig 1: Female grave found in trench 5 in Ha. Utheemu (Jaufar 2016)

Fig 3: Excavations at K. Male’ (Haour 2016)

Fig 4: Pot sherd from the excavations (Jaufar 2016)

Fig 2: Unit 3 in Ha.Utheemu (Haour 2016)

Fig 5: Excavations at M. Veyvah (Haour 2016)

The team: Prof. Anne Haour, Shiura Jaufar and Dr. Annalisa Christie (from left to right)

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