Mojokerto`s Trowulan Ancient Heritage Conservation Service (BP3) official Joko Sujiharto said here on Monday that the historic objects of high value in Jember were prone to theft, and therefore local authorities should move them to safer locations.
He admitted that the archeological objects spread over a number of sites, among others at Klanceng and Duplang sites in Arjasa sub-district, Suko site in Jelbuk sub-district, Srono and Mojo in Sukowono sub-district, and Deres temple in Gumukmas sub-district, all in Jember.
He explained that Mojokerto`s Trowulan Ancient Heritage Conservation Service regularly monitored the existence of the archaeological objects in Jember, and that stolen antiquities have been reported to the related authorities.
According to him, some of archaeological objects found in Jember district have even been sold in foreign countries, such as Japan, Australia, the United States, and the Netherlands.
"Some of the historic objects have been allegedly stolen and sold to collectors of antiquities in foreign countries such as Japan, Australia, the United States, and the Netherlands," Joko Sujiharto said.
Joko said Jember district has around 400 archeological objects of various kinds, among others statues, kenong stones (type of Javanese musical instrument made of bronze resembling a gong), large upright standing stones (menhir), sarcophagus, dolmen, and several weapons of Majapahit kingdom.
According to him, massive antiquities theft occurred in 1998 in Arjasa sub-district in Jember, and some of the objects are still secured as evidence at Arjasa sector police office.
"We hope the local authority will improve the surveillance of the remaining archaeological objects, convince the local community of the importance of protecting the antiquities," Joko said.
(Uu.O001/HAJM/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
