The Archaeology students of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), will carry out a research expedition titled UGM Maritime Expedition 2017 to be held from 20-30 April 2017 in Sangihe, North Sulawesi.
Expedition team chairman, Fuad Anshori, said this was an underwater archaelogical research held by Archaeology Students Association of UGM. The project explores the potential of maritime history of Sangihe in the attempt to develop science and enhance the identity of Sangihe as well as to enrich the maritime history of Indonesia.
“During the Pacific outburst in the World War II, Sangihe was the location of battles between Japan and the Allies, so the maritime historical potential in Sangihe remains aplenty,” he said on Tuesday (3/1).
There will be events conducted during the expedition. “During the expedition, we will do a survey on the lands of Sangihe and diving in the Tahuna Bay to survey the shipwreck there,” he said. They will also hold discussion with the local government and community.
“The results of the expedition will be presented in a one-day seminar at one of the colleges in Sangihe,” he said.
To prepare themselves for the expedition, the team is doing training at Umbul Ponggok in Klaten, focusing on underwater activities, making measurement, documentation, etc.
Fuad added the maritime expedition 2017 was the first to be held ever by the Archaelogy Student Association. They plan to schedule it annually to undercover other maritime historical heritage in Indonesia.
“This expedition is expected to raise the position of Indonesia in the world maritime area as well as a contribution to support the vision of the Indonesian government to be the world maritime axis,” he said.