NUS emeritus professor and renowned archaeologist John Miksic dies at 79
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Professor John Miksic died on Oct 25 at the age of 79. He was emeritus professor of South-east Asian studies at the National University of Singapore.
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SINGAPORE – Professor John Miksic, a renowned archaeologist who was the first to conduct an archaeological dig here in 1984, died on Oct 25 at the age of 79.
Dr Miksic died of pneumonia, said his wife, Dr Goh Geok Yian, an associate professor of history at the Nanyang Technological University.
He had been battling melanoma, a type of skin cancer, for the past four years, added Dr Goh.
The couple have no children, but have a cat that Dr Miksic loved.
Dr Miksic was emeritus professor of South-east Asian atudies at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
His field of research included archaeology, anthropology, historical studies, geology and geophysics.
Dr Goh, who married Dr Miksic in 2018, said her husband loved his work and continued working “even when he was having difficulty writing”.
She added that Dr Miksic also wanted to continue talking to his students despite his illness.
“He is devoted and committed to being an archaeologist and being a scholar,” she said. “I want him to be remembered for what he loved the most.”
Dr Miksic’s love for archaeology was nurtured during his growing-up years on a farm in the United States, where his grandfather would often find arrowheads of the Native American Iroquois.
He first came to Singapore in 1968 while serving with the Peace Corps in Kedah, and had been in Singapore since 1987.
During his time here, he became one of the foremost experts on Singapore’s history.
Dr Miksic was invited to Singapore to conduct the first archaeological test excavation, at Fort Canning, according to an article on the NUS website.
He was also involved in other archaeological excavations after that, which revealed more about Singapore hundreds of years before Sir Stamford Raffles set foot on the island in 1819.
He was the first head of the archaeology unit at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute’s Temasek History Research Centre, from 2011 to 2014.
In 2018, he became the first person to win the NUS Singapore History Prize
Dr Miksic won the prize for his book, Singapore And The Silk Road Of the Sea, 1300-1800.
The book, based on archaeological evidence, examines Singapore’s pre-colonial history in the larger Asian context.
Dr Miksic and Dr Goh, along with fellow historian and archaeologist Kwa Chong Guan, were consulted on the design of the Fort Canning Heritage Gallery, which opened in 2022
In a Facebook post, educator Durairajoo T. paid tribute to Dr Miksic, saying his life was “forever changed by (Dr Miksic’s) guidance, expertise, and generosity”.
“His passion for archaeology was contagious, and his vast knowledge inspired me to pursue a career teaching history,” Dr Durairajoo wrote.
“Beyond his academic achievements, Professor Miksic was a kind and supportive mentor, always willing to lend a helping hand. His love for archaeology was matched only by his love for sharing knowledge and inspiring others.
“His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched, including mine.”
Dr Miksic’s wake is being held at the multipurpose hall at Block 660E Jurong West Street 64 from Oct 25.
The funeral service will be held on Oct 29, and he will be cremated at Mandai Crematorium that same day.
