Defri Elias Simatupang, Robert Sibarani, Dadang Sunendar, Eva Tuckyta Sari Sujatna
This article begins with a review of findings in the form of megalithic statues in Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra Province. The author who reviewed it at that time had a situation of urgency because he had to try to save the statue from being destroyed by the heir society. Various communication efforts were made, but in the end, one of the artifacts was destroyed by one of the heirs. To protect the writer's safety from acts of violence in the form of expulsion, the review team reported back to the head of the office to think about what strategic steps could be taken. But almost ten years have passed, and not much effort. Based on this incident, this paper intends to re-evaluate the effectiveness of communicating so that efforts to save cultural heritage, avoid conflicts that lead to eviction from the site location. Recent religious views held by society against the rejection of megalithic remains have led to the need to come up with a more creative public archeology strategy. This paper uses inductive reasoning which begins with a discussion of supporting data and then draws a general conclusion. The data analyzed and interpreted to a solution offered for a public communication model for the management of megalithic remains in Simalungun Regency. Although this study is still in its early stages, the effectiveness of public communication in efforts to save megalithic remains in Simalungun Regency is a necessity if communicators have a strategy to avoid vertical conflict. The model offered is believed to be a guideline for understanding the perception of each of the megalithic remains rather than having to be destroyed. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2026.
National Research and Innovation Agency, Jakarta, Indonesia; University of North Sumatra, Medan, Indonesia; Indonesia University of Education, Bandung, Indonesia; Padjadjaran University, Bandung, Indonesia
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