John N. Miksic
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Comment: recommend not using ibid in references here. it makes it difficult for verification. May need more sources, given that the bulk of the prose is reliant on one book. Certainly does pass WP:NPROF; no need of the long list of works. Hmm... Some of it can be incorporated into {{Authority control}} when the draft gets accepted into the mainspace. Clean up on the referencing, and ping me. – robertsky (talk) 14:17, 27 February 2022 (UTC)
John Norman Miksic is one of Southeast Asia's most prominent archaeologists and one of the fifty foreigners recognized in Epigram Books' Not Born in Singapore: Fifth Personalities who Shaped the Nation.[1] Sometimes referred to as "the Indiana Jones of Singapore's history,"[2] he has been cited as being one of the key figures who has changed historians' impressions of Southeast Asian history. "Through fragments of earthenware, Chinese pottery, Indian beads, and Javanese jewelry, Miksic and others have pieced together a new story--one that push[ed] the city's origins back some 500 years before Raffles arrival."[3] As Professor Turnbull of the University of Hong Kong wrote, the work of Professor Miksic and his colleagues "will challenge historians to look at Singapore afresh in an attempt to re-unite twenty-first century Singapore with its distant past."[4] He is perhaps best known for being the archaeologist who discovered archaeological evidence for Singapore's importance as an early major regional port, for literally "identifying it as a centre of commerce and culture in the 14th century."[5] The evidence lies in the "eight tons of artifacts--evidence of a precolonial history that was largely neglected [previously]."[6] As a result of Dr. Miksic's years of research and work, Singapore rewrote "the history taught in [its] secondary schools to expand the story of the island state's birth."[7] He was recognized for his work when he was named the winner of Singapore's first 'Best Book on Singapore History' award in 2017.[8] Professor Wang Gungwu "said Prof Miksic’s work earned the gong because it laid the foundations for a fundamental reinterpretation of Singapore’s history and its place in the larger Asian context."[9] Furthermore, Professor Miksic "is a widely respected expert in the archaeology of Southeast Asia. His research interests range from the archaeology of ancient ports on the shors of the Straits of Malacca and the early cities in Indonesia, Cambodia and Myanmar to a deep knowledge of ceramics traded across India and southwest Asia."[10]
John Norman Miksic was born in Rochester, New York on 29 October 1946. "While growing up in rural New York, he uncovered many old arrowheads at his family's 150-year-old farm"[11], which sparked his interest in history, inspiring his future career as a historian and archaeologist. "Archaeology was a part of John Miksic' lifestyle ever since beginning: 'I always had feeling of communication through physical objects. We lived in one of the coldest and ost isolated parts of the US, so most of our imagination revolved around these artefacts we found.'"[12] He relocated permanently to Southeast Asia in 1979 and has been a resident of Singapore since 1987. He is married to Singapore citizen Professor Goh Geok Yian (NTU), who is also an archaeologist.
Education and Career
In 1968, he received a B.A. in Anthropology from Dartmouth College (Hanover, New Hampshire). He then served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malaysia from 1968 to 1972 where he helped set up a farmers' cooperative and developed an irrigation system in the Bujang Valley in Kedah[13], before returning to the U.S. to earn an M.A. from the Department of International Affairs, Ohio University (Athens, Ohio) in 1974. Two years later, in 1976, he was awarded a second M.A. from Cornell University's Department of Anthropology, followed by a Ph.D. in January 1979, during which time he was awarded the Lauriston Sharp Award for Best Ph.D Dissertation in the Southeast Asian Studies Program in 1978. Upon graduation, Dr. Miksic worked for USAID as a Rural Development Advisor in Bengkulu for two years, and taught archaeological theory at Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta for six years. In 1987 he moved to Singapore, where he joined the Department of History, National University of Singapore (NUS), and helped to found the Southeast Asian Studies Programme in 1991. He was Head of the Archaeology Unit, Nalanda-Sriwijaya Unit, ISEAS 2010-2013, and was a member of the board of the Center for Khmer Studies based in Siem Reap, Cambodia for 15 years. He is currently Emeritus Professor, Department of Southeast Asian Studies (NUS) and a Senior Research Fellow under the School of Humanities, Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
In addition to his academic positions, he has taught at various centres including archaeological field schools, the University of Yangon's Department of Archaeology, the Center for Khmer Studies, and the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute. His work is often described as both "impressive" and "inspirational" and has been described as having "performed a great service for the field, ... one hopes it will inspire future students to take up the study of ancient Southeast Asia."[14]
His field work includes major archaeological work across the region including such world-renowned sites as Borobudur in Indonesia, and more than a dozen sites in Singapore, including St. Andrew's Cathedral, Empress Place (now home of the Asian Civilisations Museum), Parliament House and Singapore's Padang.
Professor Miksic has significantly impacted Singapore students as they are now learning that Singapore has a long and rich pre-Raffles history in the new history textbook for lower secondary school students[15] that incorporates his findings and field work.
Other Professional Affiliations
Dr. Miksic has served on a large number of advisory boards and committees including the Asian Cultural Council (New York City, 1981-87), the Lee Kong Chian Art Museum (1991–1993), the National Museum of Singapore Development Committee (1990–1992), the Executive Committee of the Field School of Indonesian Archaeology (1989–1993), Book Review editor positions on the Journal of Southeast Asian Studies (1995–1999), the Council of the Southeast Asian Ceramic Society (1989-currently President 2021-)[16], and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies Yusuf Ishak Institute (2010–2013). He is known for being generous with both his time and his knowledge, forever encouraging and promoting his students. "An ex-student, Derek Heng,...now an Associate Professor of History at Yale-NUS college, said Prof Miksic's classes ... were an eye-opener and sparked his own research interest in Singapore's history."[17]
Publications: Books & Monographs
A list of Professor Miksic's many publications, articles and conference papers may be downloaded as a .pdf from this site.
e-Publications
(1) I Wayan Ardika and the Archaeology Study Program Team, Universitas Udayana. Edited and Translated from Indonesian by John N. Miksic. Archaeological Research at the Blanjong Site, Sanur, Bali. Singapore: Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre Archaeology Unit Archaeology Report Series No. 3. June 2016. https://www.iseas.edu.sg/images/pdf/archaeology_report_blanjong_ardika_final.pdf Pp. 50.
(2) John Miksic, Southeast Asian Archaeological Site Reports Singapore No. 1: The Singapore Cricket Club Excavation. 20 February 2018 Southeast Asian Archaeological Site Reports, http://epress.nus.edu.sg/sitereports/ DOI: https://doi.org/10.25717/7w0e-3n3c
(3) Team Projek Dieng 2010: Jurusan Arkeologi, Fakultas Ilmu Budaya, and Universitas Gadjah Mada. Translated by Goh Geok Yian and John N. Miksic. Editors: Mahirta Sasongko, Goh Geok Yian, Widya Nayati, and John N. Miksic. Dieng Temple Complex Excavation Report. Southeast Asian Archaeological Site Reports, http://epress.nus.edu.sg/sitereports/dieng DOI: https://doi.org/10.25717/70d9-va60
(4) Goh Geok Yian & John N. Miksic, Myanmar-Singapore Archaeology Training Project (MSATP). Southeast Asian Archaeological Site Reports http://epress.nus.edu.sg/sitereports/msatp, DOI: https://doi.org/10.25717/4vsn-x426
(5) Goh Geok Yian & John N. Miksic, The Colombo Court Site Report. Southeast Asian Archaeological Site Reports epress.nus.edu.sg/sitereports/colombo/ DOI: https://doi.org/10.25717/304q-mx31 . (6) Goh Geok Yian & John N. Miksic, Site Report on the Fort Canning Dig 2018 (September 2–November 4) and Two Subsequent Visits. Southeast Asian Archaeological Site Reports, epress.nus.edu.sg/sitereports/fortcanning/ DOI: https://doi.org/10.25717/ngs9-h5qr
(7) Goh Geok Yian & John N. Miksic, The Fort Canning Spice Garden Site Report. Southeast Asian Archaeological Site Reports, epress.nus.edu.sg/sitereports/spicegarden/ DOI: https://doi.org/10.25717/q0b4-byj0
Editorial Work on Books
(1) Hasan M. Ambary, Halwany Michrob, and John N. Miksic. Katalogus Koleksi Data Arkeologi Banten (Catalogue of Sites, Monuments and Artifacts of Banten). Jakarta: Directorate for Protection and Development of Historical and Archaeological Heritage 1988 pp. xv, 1-92.
(2) Pusaka Art of Indonesia. Singapore: Archipelago Press 1992. [French Edition: Pusaka Arts d'Indonésie, Singapore: Les Éditions du Pacifique, 1994. ISBN 2-87868-015-7] [Dutch edition: Pusaka: Indonesische Kunstschatten. Alphen aan den Rijn: Tripolis, 1994. ISBN 90-61130729-2]
(3) The Legacy of Majapahit. Singapore: National Heritage Board, 1995. pp. 1-210. ISBN 9971-88-453-4
(4) Southeast Asia: A Past Regained. Alexandria: Time-Life Books, 1995. ISBN 0-8094-9112-5
(5) Museum Treasures of Southeast Asia from the Collections of the National Museums of the Ten Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Makati, Singapore: ArtPost Asia, 2002. ISBN 981-04-7589-6
(6) Earthenware in Southeast Asia. Singapore: Singapore University Press, 2003. ISBN 9971-69-271-6
(7) John N. Miksic and Cheryl-Ann Low Mei Gek. Early Singapore 1300s-1819: Evidence in Maps, Text and Artefacts. Singapore: Singapore History Museum, 2004. ISBN 981-05-0283-4.
(8) Karaton Surakarta. Jakarta: Yayasan Pawiyatan Kabudayan Karaton Surakarta, 2004. Pp. 1-409. ISBN 9 789799 858603 Singapore: Marshall Cavendish, 2006. ISBN 981-261-226-2
(9) Retno Sulistianingsih Sitowati and John N. Miksic, Icons of Art: National Museum Jakarta. Jakarta: BAB Publishing Indonesia, 2006. Pp. ISBN 979-8926-25-0 Second Edition: John N. Miksic, Icons of Art: National Museum Jakarta. Jakarta: BAB Publishing Indonesia. ISBN 978-979-8926-25-9
(10) Dominik Bonatz, John Miksic, J. David Neidel, Mai Lin Tjoa Bonatz, Editors. From Distant Tales. Archaeology and Ethnohistory in the Highlands of Sumatra. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing. 2009. Pp. xiv, 509. ISBN(10) 1-4438-0497-5, ISBN (13): 978-4438-0497-4
(11) Southeast Asian Ceramics: New Light on Old Pottery. Singapore: Southeast Asian Ceramic Society, 2009. ISBN 978-981-4260-13-8.
(12) Borobudur Majestic Mysterious Magnificent. Yogyakarta: PT. (Persero) Taman Wisata Borobudur, Prambanan & Ratu Boko, 2010. ISBN 978-602-98279-0-3. US Edition: North Clarendon, Vermont: Periplus Editions – Tuttle Publishing. 978-979-89262-6-6. Review: Peter, Stephenson, Java Kini, October 2011: p. 20.
(13) John N. Miksic, Geok Yian Goh, and Sue O'Connor, Rethinking Cultural Resource Management in Southeast Asia. Preservation, Development, and Neglect. London, New York: Anthem Press. 2011. ISBN 9780857283 894
References
- ^ Tng Ying Hui, Not Born in Singapore: Fifty Personalities Who Shaped the Nation, Singapore: Epigram Books, 2019, pp., 143-150k.
- ^ Melody Zaccheus, "Indian Jones who Pieces together S'pore's Past", in The Straits Times 11 November 2013, p. 4.
- ^ Chandrashekhar, Vaishnavi. "The Lion City's Glorious Past." Archaeology 70, no. 6 (2017): 61–68. http://www.jstor.org/stable/26349031.
- ^ C. M. Turnbull, "Early Singapore 1330s-1819 in Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. 78, No. 1 (288) (2005), pp. 122-124.
- ^ Asad Latif, "Pre-Raffles Singapore:A Thriving Port," The Straits Times, 9 November 2013, p. 19.
- ^ Jane A. Peterson, "In New Textbook, the Story of Singapore Begins 500 Years Earlier", The New York Times, May 11, 2014. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/12/world/asia/in-new-textbook-the-story-of-singapore-begins-500-years-earlier.html
- ^ Jane A. Peterson, "In New Textbook, the Story of Singapore Begins 500 Years Earlier", The New York Times, May 11, 2014. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/12/world/asia/in-new-textbook-the-story-of-singapore-begins-500-years-earlier.html.
- ^ "Archaeologist wins Inaugural Singapore History", Straits Times, 11 January 2018, https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/archaeologist-wins-inaugural-singapore-history-prize
- ^ https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/archaeologist-bags-inaugural-singapore-history-prize
- ^ "Singapore & the Dragon's Tooth Strait" in Wreckwatch Magazine, https://www.flipsnack.com/wreckwatchmag/wreckwatch-magazine-autumn-2021.html
- ^ Tng Ying Hui, Not Born in Singapore: Fifty Personalities Who Shaped the Nation, Singapore: Epigram Books, 2019, p. 143
- ^ Onat Kibaroglu, "Academic Review of John Miksic", https://www.academia.edu/38590750/Academic_Review_of_John_Miksic_A_Journey_from_the_Frigid_Lands_of_the_United_States_to_the_Archeological_Grounds_of_Northern_Sumatra_and_Beyond
- ^ "Singapore and the Dragon's Tooth Strait", in Wreckwatch Magazine, https://www.flipsnack.com/wreckwatchmag/wreckwatch-magazine-autumn-2021.html
- ^ Justin McDaniel, "A Review of the Historical Dictionary of Southeast Asia" in Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 128, No. 2 (Apr-Jun 2008), pp. 342-44.
- ^ Tng Ying Hui, Not Born in Singapore: Fifty Personalities Who Shaped the Nation, Singapore: Epigram Books, 2019, p. 145.
- ^ https://www.seaceeramic.org.sg/about-the-society/past-presidents/
- ^ Tng Ying Hui, Not Born in Singapore: Fifty Personalities Who Shaped the Nation, Singapore: Epigram Books, 2019, p. 148.