Satyawati Suleiman

Satyawati Suleiman (7 October 1920 – 26 February 1988) was an Indonesian historian and archaeologist. She is considered a pioneer in Indonesian archaeology and was one of the first women in the field, being the first female archaeology graduate from her alma mater at the University of Indonesia. Her contributions were particularly noted in archaeological research on Srivijaya.

Early life Suleiman was born in Bogor (then Buitenzorg) on 7 October 1920, the daughter of a Sundanese bupati (regent). Prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, she studied under Dutch Professor Bernet Kempers,

Career She began working at Indonesia's Archaeological Service in 1948 and later pursued a degree in archaeology at the University of Indonesia, graduating in 1953. After holding the office for three years, she moved to the London Embassy, where she was attache between 1961 and 1963. in the National Archaeological Institute, heading the classical archaeology department between 1963 and 1973. In 1973, while Soekmono had been assigned to the restoration of the Borobudur Temple, Satyawati took over as chairman of the body between 1973 and 1977. After her tenure ended, she continued to be a head researcher in the organization until 1985. She was also member in the Governing Board of the SEAMEO SPAFA, from where she launched a program to promote Srivijayan archaeology in Southeast Asia through the holding of workshops in Indonesia and Thailand.

During her career, Suleiman specialized in iconography, and was known to possess great knowledge on various archaeological artifacts found in Sumatra and Java. In her obituary published in the journal Indonesia, British academic O. W. Wolters wrote that Suleiman enjoyed archaeological expeditions outside Jakarta, and noted that her contribution to studies of Srivijaya were "indispensable".

Later life and death Suleiman retired from the institute in 1985, but she was allowed to maintain an office there where she aided younger researchers in their work. She died in Jakarta on 26 February 1988.

Selected works