The History of Gunung Padang: The World's Oldest Site, Said to Be Older Than the Egyptian Pyramids | Gita Blog Sport
Gitablogsport.com - Indonesia is a country rich in cultural heritage, offering a diverse array of historical treasures that reflect its unique local identity. One archaeological site that has gained international recognition is Gunung Padang, especially after being featured in a Netflix documentary.
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Location and Initial Discovery of Gunung Padang
According to the West Java Tourism and Culture Office (Disparbud Jabar), Gunung Padang is located in Gunung Padang Hamlet, Karyamukti Village, Campaka District, Cianjur Regency, West Java. This megalithic site was first officially reported in 1914, and to this day, it continues to be a subject of extensive archaeological research.
Several historians and researchers believe that Gunung Padang is the oldest cultural site in the world, possibly predating the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
The Structure and Hidden Mysteries of Gunung Padang
Many experts suspect that beneath the surface of Gunung Padang lies a massive ancient structure from the megalithic era. These assumptions continue to puzzle both local and international scientists.
The site itself is shaped like a stepped pyramid, or punden berundak, consisting of five terraces of varying sizes. The first terrace is the largest, with the most stones stacked from the base to the top of the hill.
The Origin of the Name “Gunung Padang”
The word "Padang" in this context does not refer to the capital of West Sumatra. In Sundanese, "Padang" means light or radiance, which is why the site is also known as the Hill of Light (Bukit Cahaya).
Research Began in the Era of King Prabu Siliwangi
According to the book "Kompetensi Peradaban Misterius Pembangun Gunung Padang" by Adhitya Dwipayana Raspati (2022), studies on Gunung Padang date back to the era of the Sunda Kingdom, under King Prabu Siliwangi, around 1482–1521 AD. This is believed to be the earliest investigation of the megalithic site.
During the Dutch colonial period in 1890, researchers De Corte and Rogier Verbeek conducted further studies. After Indonesia's independence, interest in the site increased among government institutions and independent archaeologists.
From Ordinary Site to Groundbreaking Discovery
Referring to the book Indonesian History & Culture Dictionary by Putri Fitria (2016), Gunung Padang was initially regarded as just another ancient site. However, starting in 2011, more in-depth investigations revealed that this location holds far more significance than previously thought.
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Some experts initially described Gunung Padang as a pyramid-like structure, similar to the ancient Machu Picchu in Peru. To verify this, archaeologists drilled into the hill and collected core samples.
The lab results showed the presence of fine white sand, believed to be a natural material used for earthquake-resistant construction.
Modern Research and Shocking Revelations
A research team known as the Independent Integrated Research Team (TTRM), led by Andi Arief, a former Special Staff for Social and Disaster Relief Affairs, mobilized various experts to work collaboratively.
Two years later, they uncovered shocking findings: the site’s true age was significantly older than previously estimated. Furthermore, Gunung Padang was found to be larger in area than Borobudur Temple, which was previously considered Indonesia’s largest megalithic site.
Is Gunung Padang a Pyramid?
Despite popular belief that Gunung Padang resembles a pyramid, Dr. Lutfi Yondri, an archaeologist from Padjadjaran University, clarified that Gunung Padang is not a pyramid, but rather a stepped terrace monument, or punden berundak, typical of megalithic culture in Indonesia.
Dr. Lutfi noted that the site was first studied formally by Verbeek in 1891, followed by Krom in 1914. He emphasized that there have been no major changes in the site's physical form based on decades of archaeological research.
His records show that additional studies were conducted by the National Center for Archaeological Research and the Bandung Archaeology Center in the years 1984, 1985, 1986, 1996/1997, 2002, 2003, 2012, 2014, and 2015.
Conclusion: Gunung Padang as a Global Cultural Heritage Site
With its astounding age and unique megalithic architecture, Gunung Padang stands as one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world. It is not only a symbol of ancient engineering excellence but also a mystery that continues to challenge modern understanding of early human civilizations.
As one of Indonesia’s most valuable historical and cultural tourism destinations, Gunung Padang deserves greater attention from academics, archaeologists, and travelers from around the globe.