Our journey starts with the mystique of Gunung Padang, where profound enigmas unravel before our eyes. The discoveries emerging from this site are relentlessly challenging our current comprehension of human history, pushing the origins of our civilization further back into antiquity. In the realm of Indonesia, one such revelation has captivated the minds of researchers, casting doubt upon everything we have learned about the evolutionary path of hunter-gatherer societies. Within the local community, whispers abound about the spiritual ambience that envelops Gunung Padang, drawing pilgrims from far and wide who come to pay homage to the mountain's revered essence. Initially, archaeologists regarded Gunung Padang as a mere hill nestled amidst the jungle, but this perception has been proven inadequate. A peculiar sight greets the curious observer—an abundance of hexagonal stones strewn across the landscape, numbering in the thousands. While an expert might attribute this phenomenon to the natural formation of volcanic rocks in Indonesia, a flaw exists within this explanation. Closer examination reveals that these rocks bear unmistakable signs of human craftsmanship, clearly intended for use as construction materials. Amidst the jumble of fallen stones, fragments of structures emerge, dotting the hillside and hinting at a purposeful design, that can be seen in the image of this blog.
In 2012, the intriguing indicators surrounding Gunung Padang led archaeologist Ali Akbar to embark on extensive research of the site. Initially, it was assumed that the creators of Gunung Padang had sourced the basalt rocks locally, but a startling revelation emerged. It was discovered that the basalt blocks were actually formed in a different region of Indonesia. This astonishing realization implied that each of the estimated 50,000 blocks, weighing up to 300 kilograms, had been transported up the steep hill. The enigma deepened.
As Ali Akbar delved further into the various layers of soil at Gunung Padang, he made a significant discovery. The layer approximately four meters deep was determined to date back to around 5,200 BC. According to our existing understanding of history, this period was characterized by the presence of simple hunter-gatherer societies. The question then arose: Why would they undertake such an immense effort to construct this complex structure? This puzzling query left people astounded until a subsequent investigation delved even deeper into the site, unveiling a truly extraordinary and groundbreaking possibility—a lost advanced civilization.
Another esteemed archaeologist, Dr Natawidjaja, took up the mantle of investigating this enigmatic site, and it is at this juncture that the narrative takes a truly captivating turn. Dr Natawidjaja embarked on a meticulous process of piecing together the available evidence, ultimately constructing a comprehensive design that illustrated the original form of the structure. The result was a grand architectural composition featuring multiple terraces, spanning an impressive length of 150 meters, with substantial support walls constructed from the aforementioned basalt stones. The creation of this monumental structure required an immense terraforming endeavour, and it can best be described as a step pyramid. The mere existence of such an ancient pyramid has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the capabilities and achievements of our ancestors, casting them in an entirely new light.
This enigma surrounding Gunung Padang gives rise to numerous inquiries. The actual period of the structure's construction, the identity of its builders, and the motivations behind its creation all pose intriguing questions. In pursuit of answers, Dr Hilman and his team embarked on extensive research, delving deeper into the mysteries surrounding Gunung Padang. Employing an array of cutting-edge technological instruments, they sought to map the subterranean structure of Gunung Padang, and the findings they unearthed were nothing short of astonishing. Utilizing radio wave pulses, Dr Hilman's team was able to penetrate the earth's surface to a depth of 30 meters, revealing a seismic analysis that unveiled a network of interconnected chambers approximately 20 meters below ground level. This discovery challenges the accepted timeline of human history, as it suggests that a tribe of hunter-gatherers from around 7,000 years ago would not have possessed the capability to construct such a colossal edifice. Yet, here it stands, defying conventional expectations.
To ascertain the approximate age of the chambers within Gunung Padang, core drilling techniques were employed, enabling the collection of soil samples from a depth of 20 meters. The upper layers of the samples dated back around 3,000 years, but the most astounding revelation awaited the researchers when they analyzed the soil from approximately 15 meters deep. Remarkably, the sections at this depth were determined to have been laid down around 11,600 years ago, pushing the origins of Gunung Padang back to the conclusion of the Ice Age. These findings are truly extraordinary. However, Dr Hilman's exploration did not cease there; the team discovered the earliest layer of the construction, venturing even deeper, at around 30 meters below the surface. Analyzing these cultural strata, replete with organic materials intimately intertwined with structural elements, unveiled dates as far back as 24,000 years ago. The revelations brought forth by Dr Hilman's research are awe-inspiring, casting new light upon the origins and timeline of Gunung Padang. These findings propel us further into the depths of history, challenging our preconceived notions and beckoning us to reconsider the capabilities and accomplishments of our ancient ancestors.
Grasping the concept within our modern understanding of Indonesia's geography can indeed be challenging. What many fail to comprehend is the vast disparity between the present landscape and that of the Ice Age. During that epoch, the island we now know as Java was not an isolated entity; rather, it formed the southern portion of a larger continental mass called Soendaland, encompassing Southeast Asia. This stark contrast can be attributed to the fact that during the Ice Age, sea levels were approximately 120 meters lower than their current levels. The existence of Gunung Padang suggests the presence of a remarkably advanced civilization within Soendaland, capable of constructing awe-inspiring megalithic structures. However, it is vital to acknowledge that Gunung Padang is not the sole evidence supporting this theory. On the Pacific island of Pohnpei, a site known as Nan Madol exhibits a strikingly similar architectural style, utilizing basalt blocks. Further investigation of Nan Madol has revealed the presence of several submerged megalithic basalt pillars, indicating that earlier iterations of this complex were constructed during periods of lower sea levels, potentially during the Ice Age. This intriguing revelation raises the possibility that technologically advanced humans may have traversed across Micronesia, leaving behind traces of their ingenuity.
The story sounds great, but if they were so technologically advanced, what happened to them? Several theories suggest that this civilisation got wiped out around 12.800 years ago when the Ice Age shifted radically. For quite a long period of time, the temperature was rising but suddenly two crucial shifts occurred. Firstly the temperatures rapidly plummeted basically overnight and besides that, there was a sudden and quite an unexplainable rise in sea level. This period was characterised by an immense amount of floods. These floods eventually led to the geographical ordering we now see. Many cultural aspects got lost during these floods, but around the world, multiple myths and legends tell a story that might partially contain the truth. Nearly every ancient culture has a myth that contains a great flood, like in the Ice Age. There is the account of Noach in the bible but also the Batak people, the ancient Greeks, the Babylonians and many other cultures have similar stories. This makes it nearly impossible that these stories were individually created by these cultures.
The tales surrounding Gunung Padang have ignited a curiosity within me, leading me to ponder the existence of other sites that defy our current understanding of history. I assure you, my fellow explorers, there are indeed more wonders waiting to be unveiled. Gunung Padang marks but a mere stepping stone, a gateway to an extraordinary expedition that stretches far beyond our imagination.
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