BENGKULU MUSEUM DISPLAYS FOURTH, NINTH CENTURY RELICS

Bengkulu, Sept 13 (ANTARA) - The State Museum in Bengkulu city features fourth-century kettledrums and ninth-century Chinese jugs collected over a period of many years, a spokesman said.

The ancient kettledrums were discovered by residents of Bumi Sari village in Rejang Lebong district several years ago, who then handed them over to the museum to be preserved, Muhardi, a spokesman for the museum's curator, said here Monday.

"The kettledrums dating back to the bronze age are made of a mixture of copper and lead, They were used during wars or as decoration at communal ceremonies," he said.

Muhardi said the historical relics were still in good condition and on display in the museum's exhibition hall.

"Not all objects in the museum are placed in the exhibition hall. Some objects are historically invaluable but fragile so that they must be specially protected from damage or loss," he said.

Most of the ancient objects in the museum were artifacts of archeological and philological significance.

To preserve these objects, the museum had stored and was maintaining them in appropriate places, so that the public can see and enjoy the relics.

In all, Bengkulu's state museum was keeping 6,070 artifacts that were part of the province's cultural and natural heritages, Muhardi said.