The Sultanate of Banten (c.1535 to 1813) was one of the largest coastal settlement in the eastern archipelago in the early modern era, its spectacular rise and demise signals the end of a series of the port cities that once monopolized the trade in Southeast Asian produce and natural resources. Today ruins of the famous palaces and fortifications from the golden age of Banten are still visible and visited by thousands of tourists every year.

Surprisingly, comparatively little archaeological research had been undertaken at this once power trading emporium. Together with the Pusat Penelitian dan Pengembangan Arkeologi Nasional Indonesia (National Centre for Archaeology), between 2009 and 2012 four field seasons were conducted at Surosowan Palace and Fort Speelwijk.