Title: Gunung Padang: The Controversial Indonesian Site Claimed as the World’s Oldest Pyramid
Article:
In the lush-green, mountainous region of Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia, lies Gunung Padang, a site that has stirred global curiosity and debate. Initially making headlines for being alleged as the world’s oldest pyramid, the site’s age and origins have since been hotly disputed by the scientific community.
The controversy erupted with the publication of a study in the international journal Archaeological Prospection in October 2023. The study, co-authored by Indonesian geologist Danny Hilman Natawidjaja, claims that the deepest layer of Gunung Padang dates back 27,000 years, predating the last Ice Age.
This finding purportedly aged Gunung Padang older than the pyramids of Egypt, sparking worldwide attention. However, the claim has been met with significant critique, suggesting errors in the study’s dating methods.
Unraveling Gunung Padang’s Layers
Initially investigated between 2011 and 2014, Gunung Padang was found to contain four distinct layers, each with a unique construction period. The deepest layer consists of solidified lava, seemingly carved by human hands. The layers Above are structured like stone brickwork, with carbon dating performed on soil interspersed among the rocks.
These findings led the research team to propose that Gunung Padang’s earliest construction dates back 27,000 years. However, this claim has faced severe criticism from other scientists, for reasons that are now coming to light.
Critique and Retraction
The study’s publication sparked considerable pushback from the international academic community. Critiques argued that the study’s dating methods were flawed, with carbon dating performed on soil rather than artifacts. This approach, critics assert, can yield inaccurate results due to potential soil contamination and lack of direct association with human activity.
The journal Archaeological Prospection later acknowledged these flaws and retracted the study. Archaeologist Flint Dibble from Cardiff University in Wales, among many others, criticized the study, stating that it provided no concrete evidence for human activity in the deepest layers of Gunung Padang.
Gunung Padang: Punden Berundak, Not a Pyramid
Beyond questions surrounding its age, Gunung Padang’s pyramid status has also been called into question. While its tiered structure bears a passing resemblance to pyramids, Indonesian archaeologist Dr. Lutfi Yondri maintains that Gunung Padang is, in fact, a type of ancient terrace structure known as punden berundak.
In contrast to pyramids, punden berundak structures are rectangular and terraced, fitting the description of Gunung Padang’s five-tiered layout. Dr. Yondri’s research, published in "Situs Gunung Padang: Kebudayaan, Manusia, dan Lingkungan," supports this classification.
The World’s Oldest Pyramids
Guinness World Records lists the oldest known pyramid as the stepped pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, Egypt, built around 2630 BCE. The second oldest is the Caral pyramid in Norte Chico, Peru, estimated to date back to 2700–2600 BCE. The third oldest is the Meidum pyramid in Egypt, constructed around 2600 BCE.
While Gunung Padang’s true age and origins remain a topic of debate, it is clear that this intriguing site continues to fuel scientific curiosity and dialogue. As our understanding of ancient history evolves, so too does our appreciation for the architectural marvels and cultural legacies of our ancestors.
(Faz/NWK)
