A massive subterranean pyramid, concealed beneath a hillside in Indonesia, predates famous structures like Stonehenge and the Giza Pyramids, potentially rivaling ancient megalithic creations. Archaeologists assert its remarkable age.
Gunung Padang: Indonesia's Ancient Megalithic Pyramid
Gunung Padang, possibly the world's oldest pyramid, graces the landscape of West Java, Indonesia. The local indigenous community reveres this underground pyramid, referring to it as "punden berundak," signifying a "stepped pyramid." This megalithic site, characterized by terraces leading to its zenith, holds sacred significance to the locals.
The structure stands atop an extinct volcano, with indications suggesting its construction preceded the advent of agriculture and conventional civilization. Recent findings from Indonesian scientists hint at the presence of extensive open chambers within Gunung Padang, the specifics of which remain speculative.
Despite minimal archaeological exploration, Gunung Padang already exhibits the potential to be a remarkable testament to ancient human ingenuity. Its origins could well predate conventional notions of agriculture and civilization, rendering it a strong contender for the title of the world's oldest pyramidal structure.
Intriguingly, an in-depth analysis has unveiled that Gunung Padang, meaning "mountain of enlightenment" in the local vernacular, was likely artfully fashioned by an ancient civilization. This transformation of a natural lava hill into a pyramid-like structure is a testament to human architectural prowess, and the presence of concealed chambers adds to the enigma shrouding this historical site.
World's Oldest Pyramid
Gunung Padang's first radiocarbon dating reveals an astonishing history, indicating its initial construction commenced more than 16,000 years ago, possibly extending back to around 27,000 years ago. To put this in perspective, the renowned Göbekli Tepe in present-day Turkey, the world's oldest megalith, dates back approximately 11,000 years.
These revelations stem from a meticulous study conducted between 2011 and 2015 by a multidisciplinary team led by geologist Danny Hilman Natawidjaja at Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency. Utilizing core drilling, ground-penetrating radar, and subsurface imaging, they explored the site's cultural heritage.
The investigations disclosed that, like many megaliths, Gunung Padang was constructed in sophisticated phases, with its deepest component lying approximately 30 meters underground.
The core section of the structure likely took shape between 25,000 and 14,000 BCE but was abandoned for several millennia. Construction resumed between 7900 and 6100 BCE, extending the pyramid's core mound.
Further building activities occurred from 6000 to 5500 BCE, during which older sections were intentionally buried or overlaid. The final phase occurred between 2000 and 1100 BCE, adding topsoil and stone terraces, which are predominantly visible today.
This archaeological marvel suggests advanced masonry skills, not characteristic of traditional hunter-gatherer cultures. The extended and continuous occupation of Gunung Padang raises questions about its significant historical importance, attracting ancient populations to occupy and modify the site repeatedly.
The site's interior, when probed using seismic waves, revealed hidden cavities and chambers, some reaching 15 meters in length with 10-meter-high ceilings. The research team plans further excavations and intends to explore these chambers using cameras, shedding light on the mysteries concealed beneath. This study underscores the significance of a comprehensive approach involving archaeological, geological, and geophysical methods in unveiling ancient structures.
Gunung Padang's remarkable history is far from fully disclosed, promising ongoing research and discoveries. The study detailing these findings was published in Archaeological Prospection.
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