The National Museum

When our history teacher gives the task to create an article about a museum, my mind immediately went to the national museum or “museum gajah” located near Monumen Nasional. I have never visited the national museum. The National Museum of Indonesia , is an archeological, historical, ethnological, and geographical museum located in Jakarta. Popularly known as museum gajah after the elephant statue in its forecourt. Its broad and fascinating collections covers all of Indonesia's territory and almost all of its history. The museum has endeavoured to preserve Indonesia's heritage for two centuries. In my opinion the national museum is a very interesting museum, with white pillars located at the front of the building, a statue of the elephant which is the symbol of this museum so that people know more about Jakarta's national museum by the title "museum gajah”,  national museum backyard is big enough and quite "green" when viewed from the outside adding more curiosity for me to visit the national museum. National museum is easy to achieve, could be using public transport such as Transjakarta or by private car. On Friday, 13th of May along with my friends  I finally went to the museum elephant.

Short History

National Museum existence begins with the establishment of a set of named Bataviaasch Genootschap Kunsten van en Wetenschappen, founded by the Dutch Government on 24 April 1778. At that time in European intellectual revolution taking place (the Age of Enlightenment) which is where people begin to develop scientific thinking and science. In the year 1752 in Haarlem, the Netherlands stood De Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen (Scientific Society of the Netherlands). This encourages the Dutch in Batavia (Indonesia) to establish similar organizations.

Bataviaasch Genootschap Kunsten van en Wetenschappen (BG) is an independent institution founded for the purpose of advancing penetitian in the arts and sciences, especially in the fields of biology, physics, archeology, literature, ethnology and history, Berta research published hash. This institution has the motto "Ten Nutte van het Algemeen" (For the Public Interest).

One of the founders of this institution, namely JCM Radermacher, donated his house in Jalan Kalibesar, a Jakarta-trade area in the City. Except that he also donated a number of collections of cultural objects and books are very useful, donations Radermacher which is the forerunner to the establishment of museums and libraries.

During the period of British rule in Java (1811-1816), Lieutenant Governor Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles became director of this association. Because homes in Kalibesar already full with a collection of the Raffles ordered the construction of new buildings for use as a museum and meeting rooms for the Literary Society (formerly called the building "Societeit de Harmonie"). The building is located on road number 3 Majapahit. Now in this place stands the State Secretariat building complex, near the presidential palace.

The number of collections belonging to museums BG continues neningkat in Jalan Majapahit can no longer accommodate the collection. In 1862, Dutch East Indies government decided to build a new museum building in a location that is now, ie No. Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat. 12 (dutu called Koningsplein West). The land covers an area that later on it was built buildings Rechst Hogeschool or "Law School" (once used for Kenpetai headquarters during the Japanese occupation, and now the Department of Defense and Security). This new museum building opened to the public in 1868.

The museum is very well known among the people of Indonesia, especially Jakarta residents. They call it "Elephant House" or "Elephant Museum" because the front page of the museum there is a bronze elephant statue gift from King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) from Thailand who've been to the museum in 1871. Sometimes also called "ARCA Building" since in the building there are many different types and forms stored statues from different periods.

In 1923 the association acquired the title "Royal" for his services in the field of scientific and government projects to complete the Royal Bataviaasch Genootschap Kunsten van en Wetenschappen. On January 26, 1950, the Royal Bataviaasch Genootschap Kunsten van en Wetenschappen renamed to Institute of Culture Indonesia. These changes are adjusted to the conditions of that time, as reflected in its new slogan: "advance the cultural sciences are useful to increase knowledge about the islands of Indonesia and surrounding countries". Given the importance of this museum for the people of Indonesia, on 17 September 1962 the Institute of Culture Indonesia handed management of the museum to the government of Indonesia, which later became the Museum Center. Finally, based on the Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture, No.092 / 0 / 1979 dated May 28, 1979, the Museum Center upgraded to the National Museum.

Collection

History 

National Museum of History is a collection of objects that contain the history of Indonesia and the relics of the occupation of Europeans in Indonesia, between the 16th century AD until the 19th century AD. The history collection includes objects of furniture, guns, glass, ceramics, decorative lamps, pottery, inscriptions and others. These objects are generally made ​​in Indonesia and some are made ​​overseas, such as the Netherlands, Britain, Germany, China and Japan

Geography

Geography of the National Museum collection currently consists of fossils, the fossil toxaster and amonit between the ages of 75-135 million years, a collection of rocks including sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic. Various types of maps including maps of the various cultures of Indonesia, the world map in the century about 15-17 AD, Indonesia map of the 16th century AD, the city development map-century Batavia 16-18 AD, and others. In addition there are also extensive collection of navigational equipment such as compasses, chronometers, sextan, etc., along with several miniature boats, namely Phinisi, Lete, Nade, and Bali.

Prehistory

Prehistory is a time when humans are not familiar with writing. In Indonesia, the existence of prehistoric humans began about 1.5 million years ago to the familiar tradition of writing in the 5th century AD, when the discovery of inscriptions Yupa in Kutai, East Kalimantan. His legacy in the form of fossils, the bones of humans and animals and artifacts, namely the objects humans ever created or used as tools by humans.

Based on the manufacture of equipment or technology, in general the prehistoric period is divided into two ages, the era of rock and metal era. Produce a paleolithic stone age artifacts and mesolitik (for hunting and gathering food) and neolithic artifacts (for planting). While the era of metal (paleometalik) produces bronze and iron artifacts.

The National Museum has a collection of various types of prehistoric hominid skull replica, paleolithic artifacts, mesolitik, neolithic and metal artifacts (paleometalik) as well as objects relating to the trust to the ancestors. These collections include hand-held axes form of limestone kersikan, pickaxe-belincung of Chalcedon stones, beads of glass and bronze ceremonial axes.

Numismatic & Ceramics

Numismatic Collection consists of objects such as coins, banknotes and tokens which never circulated and used by the public, in addition there is also a means of printing money. Numismatic Collection of the National Museum largely derived from the ancient kingdoms of Indonesia, the colonial period (Dutch, Portuguese, English and Japanese) to the independence of Indonesia. Apart from the numismatic collections in the country, there is also a numismatic collection originating from countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, America and Australia. While the collection owned by the Museum asional heraldic symbols such as medals / decorations, stamp / stamp, and amulets.

Collection National Museum of Ceramics in the majority coming from China, from the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) until the time of the last dynasty, the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). Others came from Vietnam (Century-14 - 16 M), Thailand (Century-14 - 16 M), Japan (Century 17-19 AD), Middle East (Century 18-19 M), and Europe (Century 17-19 M).

Collection is historical data that proves the existence of relations between Indonesia and other countries in the past, including trade relations. Indonesia in the past is a major producer of spices for commodity trading. Past trading is done by way of payment of money or means of exchange (barter) with ceramic spice that comes from abroad. Apart from trade, ceramics allegedly also comes as a gift, tribute or luggage.

Ethnography

National Museum presents a collection of ethnographic objects or the cultures of ethnic groups throughout Indonesia. Indonesia has more than 300 ethnic groups who have different languages ​​and different cultures. Motto "Bhineka Tunggat Diversity" reflects the condition of Indonesian society that is pluralistic or multicultural. Ethnographic objects in the form of life equipment used by a tribe either kepertuan used for ceremonies or everyday. Ethnographic collections show the influence of various cultures in the Hindu, Islamic, and colonial period that are tailored to local culture.

Most of the ethnographic collection collected during the Dutch colonial administration, especially in the mid-19th century and early 20th century AD. The collection of collections, among others carried out through scientific expeditions, military expeditions, or by individuals such as from government officials and the propagator of religion Besides space, the ethnographic collection also has a special showroom, ie miniature space custom homes, room textiles, and the living treasures of gold ethnography.

Archaeology 

Archaeology collections include cultural objects of human activity results from the Hindu and Buddhist better known as the Classical Indonesia. This period lasted from the early second century AD 5-15, which develops local culture which is influenced by Indian culture.

Archaeology at the National Museum collection consists of statues of Hindu gods, Buddha statues, statues embodiment, animal statues, jewelry, ceremonial equipment, parts of the building, currency, inscriptions, and others. Collections were made of gold, silver, bronze, stone and baked clay.

Archaeological collections mostly from Central Java and East Java, for example, finding a valuable gold from Wonoboyo village, Central Java; stone statue of Prajnaparamita Singosari, East Java. It also has other important collections, such as the oldest inscriptions in Indonesia, the inscription Yupa of Muara Kaman, Kutai in East Kalimantan; the inscriptions of the royal Tarumanegara; and inscriptions that come from the kingdom of Srivijaya. Bhairawa Buddha statue from Padang Roco, West Sumatra is also a considerable collection of Archaeological interest seen from a very large size.