The 1907–1911 restoration of Borobudur

Record summary

Theodoor van Erp directed a major early twentieth-century restoration of Borobudur, involving dismantling and rebuilding portions of the monument, drainage work, and architectural documentation. The project influenced later understandings of the temple’s design, chronology, and intended visual form. It is a useful comparison lead because conservation itself produced evidence while also introducing interpretive and structural decisions. Borobudur’s existence and broad dating are not in serious doubt, but specific restoration choices, lost elements, and the monument’s original ritual use require consultation of technical reports and subsequent studies.