Blockchain and Knowledge Graphs for Cultural Heritage Repatriation: Strengthening Evidentiary Frameworks under Indonesian Law

https://doi.org/10.29303/ius.v14i2.1942

Authors

  • Ni Putu Suci Meinarni Institut Bisnis dan Teknologi Indonesia
  • I Gusti Agung Ayu Mas Aristamy Institut Bisnis dan Teknologi Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Rizkita Ayu Mutiarani Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Visual Communication Design Program Study, Institut Seni Indonesia Bali, Indonesia

Keywords:

Blockchain, Cultural Heritage Law, Knowledge Graph, Repatriation, Illicit Trafficking

Abstract

The illicit trafficking and historically wrongful removal of cultural property continue to undermine heritage protection and repatriation. Focusing on Indonesia, this article examines how blockchain and knowledge graphs might improve the integrity, traceability, and contextual organization of provenance information without treating technological immutability as proof of factual truth. It applies doctrinal analysis to Indonesian cultural-heritage and electronic-evidence law and critically assesses documented technical projects. The analysis finds that blockchain may help demonstrate whether a record has been altered after authorized entry, while knowledge graphs may connect heterogeneous sources and reveal relationships requiring further investigation. Neither tool independently establishes ownership, authenticity, or admissibility. Their evidentiary value depends on source authentication, identifiable and competent contributors, documented validation procedures, audit trails, mechanism for contestation , and compliance with Indonesian procedural law. A permissioned pilot linked to, but not legally equated with, the Cultural Heritage Register is therefore proposed for testing. The article contributes a conditional legal-technical model and identifies regulatory, institutional, financial, and data-governance issues that require empirical evaluation before national or cross-border deployment.

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Published

29-08-2026

How to Cite

Meinarni, N. P. S., Aristamy, I. G. A. A. M., & Mutiarani, R. A. (2026). Blockchain and Knowledge Graphs for Cultural Heritage Repatriation: Strengthening Evidentiary Frameworks under Indonesian Law. Jurnal IUS Kajian Hukum Dan Keadilan, 14(2), 550–564. https://doi.org/10.29303/ius.v14i2.1942

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 2 (2026): Jurnal IUS Kajian Hukum dan Keadilan

Section

Articles
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