Noel Hidalgo Tan

Dr Noel Hidalgo Tan is a Singaporean archaeologist currently based in Jakarta, Indonesia. He runs the SEAArch | Southeast Asian Archaeology website. His main research interest is in the rock art of Southeast Asia. He serves on the Archaeology Advisory Panel of Singapore and is a Expert Member of ICOMOS ICAHM (International Committee of Archaeological Heritage Management) and ISC-CAR (Rock Art).

About Me

Hi there! I’m Noel – an archaeologist from Singapore currently based in Jakarta, Indonesia. For nearly 20 years, I’ve been deeply engaged with the archaeology and cultural heritage of Southeast Asia. Growing up in Singapore, there weren’t many formal ways to learn about archaeology – no degrees, and the closest I got in school was through high school history. That gap inspired me to start the SEAArch | Southeast Asian Archaeology website in 2006, where I began collecting news and resources about archaeology in the region. Since then, it’s grown into an educational hub for the public and an accessible resource for all who want to learn more about Southeast Asia’s past.

My journey in archaeology has taken me across the region. While still in Singapore, I was fortunate to participate in local excavations, which led me to pursue archaeology studies abroad. I completed my Master’s and PhD in Malaysia and Australia, focusing on rock art – a research interest that still guides much of my work today. After my PhD, I joined the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SPAFA) in Bangkok as a Senior Specialist, where I developed programs to support archaeologists across Southeast Asia. I also had the opportunity to relaunch SPAFA’s academic journal, which is now an open-access publication listed on Scopus.

In 2024, I moved to Jakarta to take on a new role in an intergovernmental organisation, where I now work on policy research and analysis in Culture, Arts, Media, and Information. This position draws on my background in heritage and my early experiences in media – as both a journalist and a long-time web publisher. While my day-to-day focus has shifted slightly, I continue to research Southeast Asian rock art and maintain SEAArch. The website’s news section has now moved into a free weekly newsletter, reaching over 2,000 subscribers.

I also consult occasionally in my areas of expertise, contributing to cultural heritage and archaeology projects across the region. Below, you’ll find links to more of my work, publications, and other professional pages. If you’re interested in Southeast Asian archaeology or have any questions, feel free to reach out – I’d love to hear from you!

In this page

• Publications
• Invited Presentations
• In the News

Other Links

• LinkedIn
• ORCID
• ResearchGate
• SEAMEO SPAFA
• SPAFA Journal

Publications

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Journal Articles (peer-reviewed)

• Polkinghorne, M. et al. 2024. Reuniting orphaned cargoes: Recovering cultural knowledge from salvaged and dispersed underwater cultural heritage in Southeast Asia. Marine Policy 163: p.1–8.
• Bellina, B., Rotchanarat, S., Tan, N. H. and Évrard, O. E. (2021). Coastal Heritage: Exploring Caves And Indigenous Knowledge In The Lanta Bay (Southern Thailand). Journal of Indo-Pacific Archaeology, 45: 25–41.
• Pookaiyaudom, G., & Tan, N. H. (2020). The Buppaesanniwas phenomenon: ‘Thainess’ and national identity as a film tourism motivation. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 18(5), 497-513.
• Adhikari, B., Hlaing, P. H., Robinson, M. T., Ruecker, A., Tan, N. H., Jatupornpimol, N., Chanviriyavuth, R. and Cheah, P. Y. (2019). Evaluation of the Pint of Science festival in Thailand. PLoS One, 14(7): e0219983.
• Tan, N. H. (2018). The Cliff Paintings of Pha Taem, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. Rock Art Research, 35(1), 62-78.
• Tan, N. H. (2018). Rock art at the cave of a thousand Buddhas, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. Archaeological Research in Asia, 15, 129-136.
• Sukkham, A., Tacon, P. S. C., Tan, N. H., & Asyaari bin Muhamad. (2017). Ships and Maritime Activities in the North-eastern Indian Ocean: re-analysis of rock art of Tham Phrayanaga (Viking Cave), southern Thailand. The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 46(1), 108-131.
• Tan, N. H., & Walker-Vadillo, V. (2015). The Curious Case of the Steamship on the Mekong. Asian Perspectives, 54(2), 253-273.
• Tan, N. H., Im, S., Heng, T., & Khieu, C. (2014). The Hidden Paintings of Angkor Wat. Antiquity, 88(340), 549-565.
• Tan, N. H. (2014). Rock Art Research in Southeast Asia: A Synthesis. Arts, 3(1), 73-104.
• Taçon, P. S. C., Tan, N. H., O’Connor, S., Xueping, J., Gang, L., Curnoe, D., . . . Kong, S. (2014). The global implications of the early surviving rock art of greater Southeast Asia. Antiquity, 88(342), 1050-1064.
• Tan, N. H., & Chia, S. (2011). Current Research on the Rock Art at Gua Tambun, Perak, Malaysia. Bulletin of the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association, 31, 93-108.
• Tan, N. H., & Chia, S. (2010). ‘New’ Rock Art from Gua Tambun, Perak, Malaysia. Rock Art Research, 27(1), 9-18.
• Sukkham, A., Chia, S. & Tan, N. H. (2010). The relation of rock painting between Tambun Cave, Malaysia with Phee Hua To Cave in Thailand. Muang Boran, 36(1), 1-4, 42-17.
• Tan, N. H. S. S. (2002). Deconstructing Paternalism – What Serves the Patient Best? Singapore Medical Journal, 43(3), 148-151.

Edited Books

• Tan, N.H. (Ed.) (2024). From Megaliths to Maritime Landscapes: Perspectives on Indo-Pacific Archaeology. Bangkok: SEAMEO SPAFA.
• Njoto, H., & Tan, N.H. (Eds.) (2024). Archaeology and Art History of Southeast Asia: An Introductory resource Guide. Singapore: ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
• Tan, N. H. (Ed.) (2021). SPAFACON2021: Papers from the SEAMEO SPAFA International Conference on Southeast Asian Archaeology And Fine Arts, 13 – 17 December 2021. Bangkok: SEAMEO SPAFA.
• Tan, N. H. (Ed.) (2020). Advancing Southeast Asian Archaeology 2019: Selected Papers from the Third SEAMEO SPAFA International Conference on Southeast Asian Archaeology. Bangkok: SEAMEO SPAFA.
• Tan, N. H., & Pokrajen, S. (Eds.). (2019). Perspectives on Sustainability and Tourism Management at Archaeological and Heritage Sites. Bangkok: SEAMEO SPAFA.
• Tan, N. H. (Ed.) (2018). Advancing Southeast Asian Archaeology 2016: Selected Papers from the Second SEAMEO SPAFA International Conference on Southeast Asian Archaeology. Bangkok: SEAMEO SPAFA.
• Tan, N. H. (Ed.) (2015). Advancing Southeast Asian Archaeology 2013: Selected Papers from the First SEAMEO SPAFA International Conference on Southeast Asian Archaeology, Chonburi, Thailand 2013. Bangkok: SEAMEO SPAFA.

Books

• Tan, N. H. (2021). Ancient Southeast Asia: A Coloring Book.
• Tan, W. K., Tan, N.H. & Koo, H. P. (2008). Remembering VIPs: Singapore Stamps. Singapore: Singapore Philatelic Museum.
• Tan, W. K., Koo, H. P. & Tan, N. H. (2007). Horse-powered & man-powered transport: a philatelic excursion. Singapore: Singapore Philatelic Museum.

Book Chapters

• Tan, N.H., & Pookaiyaudom, G. (2024). Sacredness Is in the Thai of the Beholder: The Different Meanings of the Ayutthaya World Heritage Site. In D. L. Gillette & T. L. Sanders (eds) The Intersection of Sacredness and Archaeology, 219–235.
• Tan, N.H. 2022. Southeast Asia in the second millennium CE through archaeology and art history. IIAS Newsletter (93): p.28.
• Tan, N. H. (2022). Leave a like and subscribe: Using social and digital media to engage schoolkids and children of all ages. In N. Agnew, J. Deacon, N. Hall, T. Little, T. McClintock, P. Robinson, S. Sullivan and P Taçon (Eds.), Networking for Rock Art: Global Challenges, Local Solutions (pp.27-28). Los Angeles, CA: Getty Conservation Institute.
• Tan, N. H., & Scott, V. N. (2021). Recent Developments in Rock Art Research in Southeast Asia (2015-2019). In P. Bahn, N. Franklin, & M. Strecker (Eds.), Rock Art Studies: News of the World VI (pp. 146-157). Oxford: Archaeopress Archaeology.
• Tan, N. H., & Hoerman, R. (2019). Mainland Southeast Asia: Rock Art. In C. Smith (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology.
• Tan, N. H. (2019). Protecting Heritage, Promoting Tourism. In N. H. Tan & S. Pokrajen (Eds.), Perspectives on Sustainability and Tourism Management at Archaeological and Heritage Sites (pp. 6-26). Bangkok: SEAMEO SPAFA.
• Tan, N. H. (2019). Rock Art in Mainland Southeast Asia. In J. Clottes & B. Smith (Eds.), Rock Art in East Asia: A Thematic Study (pp. 126-147). Paris: International Council on Monuments and Sites.
• Tan, N. H. (2018). Emerging Consciousness and New Media: The Management of Rock Art in Southeast Asia and New Opportunities for Communicating Its Significance. In N. Agnew, J. Deacon, N. Hall, T. McClintock, S. Sullivan, & P. Taçon (Eds.), Art On The Rocks: Engaging the Public and Professionals to Network for Rock Art Conservation (pp. 71-78). Los Angeles, CA: The Getty Conservation Institute.
• Tan, N. H., Sukkham, A., Boyle, G., Tanompolkrang, W., Bowonsachoti, J., & Singhaseni, D. (2016). “What Rock Art?” Stories from Northeast Thailand. In L. M. Brady & P. S. C. Taçon (Eds.), Relating to Rock Art in the Contemporary World (pp. 37-58). Boulder, Colorado: University of Colorado Press.
• Scott, V. N. and Tan, N. H. (2016). Recent Rock Art Studies in Southeast Asia. In: P Bahn, N Franklin, M Strecker & E Devlet (eds.) Rock Art Studies: News of the World V. Oxford: Archaeopress, 163-170.
• Tan, N. H., & Taçon, P. S. C. (2014). Rock Art and the Sacred Landscapes of Mainland Southeast Asia. In D. Gillette, W. B. Murray, M. Greer, & M. H. Hayward (Eds.), Rock Art and Sacred Landscapes (pp. 67-84). New York: Springer Science.
• Taçon, P.S.C. & Tan, N.H. (2012). Recent rock art research in Southeast Asia and Southern China. In P. Bahn and N. Franklin (eds.), Rock Art Studies: News of the World IV (pp. 207-214). Oxford: Oxbow Books.
• Tan, N. H., & Chia, S. (2012). Revisiting the Rock Art at Gua Tambun, Perak, Malaysia. In M. L. Tjoa-Bonatz, A. Reinecke, & D. Bonatz (Eds.), Crossing Borders: Selected Papers from the 13th International Conference of the European Association of Southeast Asian Archaeologists, Volume 1 (pp. 181-198). Singapore: NUS Press.
• Tan, N. H. (2010). Pendekatan Baru Dalam Kajian Lukisan Prasejarah [New insights into the study of prehistoric paintings]. In S. Chia & Hamid Mohd Isa (Eds.), Archaeological Heritage of Malaysia (Vol. 3, pp. 255-262). Penang: Penerbit Pusat Penyelidikan Arkeologi Global.

Conference Proceedings

• Tan, N. H., & Pookaiyaudom, G. (2020). Sustainability Strategies for Tourism Management of Archaeological Sites Proceedings of the International Conference On Archaeology 2019: “Promoting Archaeology Towards Heritage And Tourism”.
• Tan, N. H. (2017). Boat rock art from Luang Prabang, Laos Sea and Underwater Cultural Heritage in Viet Nam and Southeast Asia (pp. 143-148). Hai Phong: Institute of Archaeology.
• Tan, N. H. (2017). Challenges in the development of Underwater Archaeology, past and present: A SEAMEO SPAFA Perspective Sea and Underwater Cultural Heritage in Viet Nam and Southeast Asia (pp. 24-28). Hai Phong: Institute of Archaeology.
• Tan, N. H. (2016). Rock art as an indication of (Austronesian) migration in Island Southeast Asia. In B. Prasetyo, T. S. Nastiti, & T. Simanjuntak (Eds.), Austronesian Diaspora: A New Perspective (pp. 165-180). Yogyakarta: Gadjah Mada University Press.
• Tan, N. H. (2016). Elephants in Southeast Asian Rock Art: An Overview. In A. Manatunga (Ed.), Asian Elephants in Culture and Nature (pp. 367-374). Colombo: Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kalaniya, Sri Lanka.
• Sukkham, A., Taçon, P.S.C. & Tan, N.H. (2011). Rock art of Phrayanaga (Viking) Cave, southern Thailand: the illustration of ancient vessels. Proceedings from the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage, 8-12 Nov 2011, Manila, Philippines.

Theses

• Tan, N. H. (2014). Painted Sites, Sacred Sites: An examination of religious syncretism in Southeast Asia through rock art site usage Volume 1. (PhD), Australian National University, Canberra.
• Tan, N. H. (2014). Painted Sites, Sacred Sites: An examination of religious syncretism in Southeast Asia through rock art site usage Volume 2: Rock Art Images and Tracings. (PhD), Australian National University, Canberra.
• Tan, N. H. (2010). Scientific Reinvestigation of the rock art at Gua Tambun, Perak. Vol 1: New Research. (Master of Arts (Archaeology) MA), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.
• Tan, N. H. (2010). Scientific Reinvestigation of the rock art at Gua Tambun, Perak. Vol 2: Inventory of Rock Art. (Master of Arts (Archaeology) MA), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.

Other Notable Works

• Tan, N. H. (2019). Preliminary Report: Archaeology Education in Southeast Asia. SPAFA Journal, 3.
• Tan, N. H. (2019). The Two-World Problem: The Language of Archaeology in the Post-Colonial Landscape. NSC Highlights(12), 9-10.
• Tan, N. H. (2019). Final Report: Rock Art Record of Lewun Rockshelter, Shan State Myanmar.
• Tan, N. H., Aung Aung Kyaw, & Myanmar Department of Archaeology. (2015). A note on the newly-discovered Gabarni rock art site in Myanmar.

Conference and Invited Presentations

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• The Invisible Paintings of Angkor Wat. (2024). Presented at the Wall Paintings Conservation Workshop organized by the Getty Conservation Institute in Bangkok.
• Crouching Tigers, Hidden Elephants: The Rock Art of Southeast Asia. (2024). Presented at Petaluma, San Francisco, Cleveland, Chicagi and Denver as part of the Martha Sharp Joukowsky Lecture ship awarded by the Archaeological Insitute of America.
• Ancient Rivalries: Archaeology, Nationalism and Tourism in Mainland Southeast Asia. (2022). Presented at the Archaeology, Colonialism, and the History of Tourism online conference organized by Vera-Simone Schulz and Gerhard Wolf (Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz – Max-Planck-Institut)
• Impact Assessment for Rock Art Sites Lessons from the Padalin Caves and Gua Tambun. (2021). Presented at the International Seminar on Protecting Prehistoric and Historic Sites: Introduction to Heritage Impact organized by Jabatan Warisan Negara (Malaysia)
• An Introduction to the AAHP Webinar Series: Archaeology and Art History in Southeast Asia. (2021.) Co-presented with Hélène Njioto as part of the Archaeology and Art History of Southeast Asia Programme organized by the Temasek History Research Centre
• Rock Art in the context of Southeast Asian Archaeology. (2021). Presented at the National Museum (Malaysia) Volunteers Lecture Series
• Southeast Asian Archaeology from a Rock Art Perspective. (2020). Online Seminar organised by the Friends of the Asian Civilisations Museum
• Challenges and Opportunities in Safeguarding Underwater Heritage in Southeast Asia. (2020). China and the Maritime Silk Road Conference organised by the Asian Civilisations Museum
• Challenges and Opportunities in Safeguarding Underwater Heritage. (2019). Southeast Asia Forum on Underwater Heritage organised in Jakarta and Belitung, Indonesia by Negeri Rempah Foundation and Unesco Jakarta
• Rock Art in Southeast Asia Incorporating Social Media Practice. (2019). Rock Art Network Symposium in France and Spain
• Sustainability Strategies for Tourism Management of Archaeological Sites. (2019). International Conference On Archaeology 2019: “Promoting Archaeology Towards Heritage And Tourism” in Miri, Malaysia organised by the Department of National Heritage, Malaysia
• From Local to Global: Ethics of Preserving our Heritage for the Next Generation. (2019). Global Bioethics Initiative Summer School in Bangkok, Thailand
• The Two-World Problem: The Language of Archaeology in the Post-Colonial Landscape. (2019). Presented at the 3rd SEAMEO SPAFA International Conference on Southeast Asian Archaeology, Bangkok, Thailand
• Publish (in English) or Perish: The Two-World problem and Inequalities of Language in Southeast Asian Archaeology. (2019). Decolonising the History of Art and Archaeology on Publishing Cultures in Southeast Asia and Beyond at SOAS, London
• The Two-World Problem: the Language of Archaeology in the Post-Colonial Landscape. (2018). Presented at Decolonising Southeast Asia’s Past, Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand
• How do archaeologists know where to dig? (2018). Pint of Science Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand
• The Invisible Paintings of Angkor Wat. (2018). The Siam Society, Bangkok, Thailand
• The Invisible Paintings of Angkor Wat. (2018). Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore
• Protecting Heritage, Promoting Tourism. (2018). Presented at the Workshop on Sustainability and Tourism Management at Archaeological Sites, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
• Challenges in the development of Underwater Archaeology, past and present: a SEAMEO SPAFA Perspective. (2017). Conference on Sea and Underwater Cultural Heritage of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, Haiphong, Vietnam
• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Elephants. (2017). Pint of Science Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand
• The Rock Art of the Austronesian Region. (2017). Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore
• The Unseen Art of Southeast Asia. (2017). The Siam Society, Bangkok, Thailand
• State of Knowledge of Rock Arts in Southeast Asia. (2016). Silpakorn University Archaeology Conference, Bangkok, Thailand
• Rock art as an indication of Austronesian migration. (2016). The International Symposium on Austronesian Diaspora, Bali, Indonesia
• The Art That You Don’t See. (2015). TEDx Singapore
• Elephants, Buddhas and Everything in-between: Rock Art of Southeast Asia. (2014). Presented at the Questacon, Canberra, Australia
• The Rock Art of Pak Ou Caves, Luang Prabang Province, Lao PDR. (2014). Presented at the 20th Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association Congress in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
• How much rock art is there in Southeast Asia? (2013). Canberra Archaeological Society, Canberra, Australia
• The Curious Case of the Steamship at the Mekong. (2013). Presented at the 2nd International Contact Rock Art Symposium in Darwin, Australia.
• Same-same, But Different: The Rock Art of Southeast Asia. (2012). Presented at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore. Public Lecture.
• Rock Art and the Sacred Landscapes of Southeast Asia. (2012). First Scholars’ Meeting of Kerdomnel Khmer Foundation on New Discoveries in Art and Archaeology in Cambodia and Southeast Asia in Zaman University, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Digital photography for rock art and country report. (2011). Training/Workshop on the Introduction to Rock Art Studies in Southeast Asia in Bangkok, Thailand
• Conservation and Site Management at Gua Tambun Rock Art Site, Perak: Issues and Recommendations. (2010). Presented at the National Conference on Preservation and Promotion of Heritage in Penang, Malaysia
• Revisiting the Rock Art at Gua Tambun, Perak, Malaysia. (2010). Presented at the 13th International Conference of the European Association of Southeast Asian Archaeologists in Berlin, Germany.
• Current research on the rock art at Gua Tambun. (2009). Presented at the 19th Congress of the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association in Hanoi, Vietnam.
• Tiger, Tapir, Dugong and Deer: An evaluation of rock art interpretations at Gua Tambun. (2009). Presented at the USM Fellowship Holders’ Symposium in Penang, Malaysia.
• Shedding new light on old paintings. (2008). Presented at the National Archaeology Seminar in Penang, Malaysia.
• Revisiting the rock art at Tambun. (2008). Presented at the 2nd USM Penang International Postgraduate Convention 2008 in Penang, Malaysia.
• Fort Tanjong Katong. (2005). Presented at the Australasian Society for Historical Archaeologists 2005 Conference in Melbourne, Australia.

In the News

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