Visit by the Head of the Department of Archaeology to the Student Excavation at the Sanro Pengo Site, Maros Regency

Maros, November 14, 2025 — The Head of the Department of Archaeology at Hasanuddin University visited the student archaeological excavation site at Sanro Pengo, Maros Regency. This visit was accompanied by the Head of the Bachelor of Tourism Study Program, Dr. Supriadi, as well as researchers from BRIN, namely Fakhri, M.Hum and Zubair Masud, M.Hum, who assisted the students both in the field and in the process of analyzing the findings in the Archaeology Laboratory.

The excavation has been ongoing since November 7 and will continue until November 16, 2025. After that, the excavation findings will be analyzed in the Archaeology Laboratory to then be compiled into an excavation report, which is targeted to be completed in early December 2025.

On this occasion, Suryatman, M.Hum, lecturer in Archaeological Excavation and person in charge at the Sanro Pengo site, explained the excavation process that had taken place and a number of important findings. One of the unique findings was an artifact in the form of a shell hook, which indicates maritime activity in the past at the site.  

In line with the course on Cultural Heritage Preservation and Legal Aspects in Archaeology, findings that fall into the MASTERPIECE category will be immediately registered as ODCB (Presumed Cultural Heritage Objects) in accordance with the procedures stipulated in the legislation on cultural heritage. This registration is expected to be followed up by the Maros Regency Cultural Heritage Registration Team, then reviewed by the Cultural Heritage Expert Team and recommended to the Regent of Maros for official designation.  

In addition to the excavation at the Sanro Pengo Site, students also conducted archaeological excavations at a prehistoric site in Mallawa District, Maros Regency. At this location, many stone artifacts were found, including Maros Point, which is characteristic of the prehistoric culture of the region. The persons in charge of the excavation in Mallawa were A.M. Syaiful, M.Hum and Dr. Muhammad Nur, with the support of BRIN researcher Dr. Hasanuddin.  

The involvement of BRIN archaeologists is a tangible form of inter-institutional cooperation as well as an effort to improve student competence in the fields of archaeological excavation and data analysis.  

This excavation activity demonstrates the synergy between academics, students, and national researchers in strengthening archaeological studies, while ensuring that important findings can be preserved as part of the cultural heritage of South Sulawesi.