Indonesia’s Gunung Padang Confirmed as World’s Oldest Pyramid
A team of researchers in Indonesia has presented compelling evidence supporting Gunung Padang as the world’s oldest known pyramid. Located in West Java, on top of an extinct volcano, Gunung Padang has long been a subject of debate regarding its origin. Some believed it was predominantly a natural formation with human modifications, while others argued it was primarily a man-made structure. In 1998, the site was officially designated as a cultural heritage site.
Between 2011 and 2015, a research team consisting of archaeologists, geologists, geophysicists, and paleontologists from multiple institutions in Indonesia conducted an extensive scientific examination to determine the nature of Gunung Padang. They employed various techniques such as seismic tomography, electrical resistivity tomography, and ground-penetrating radar. Additionally, core samples were collected through drilling, allowing the use of radiocarbon dating techniques to determine the ages of different layers within the structure.
The comprehensive analysis led the researchers to conclude that Gunung Padang was predominantly crafted by human hands. They also discovered evidence indicating that its construction occurred in distinct phases spanning thousands of years. The oldest segments, built between 25,000 and 14,000 years ago, establish Gunung Padang as the oldest recognized pyramid in the world. The structure’s evolution involved successive human endeavors. Initially, humans adorned the summit of the dormant volcano with sculpted lava. Between 7900 and 6100 BCE, additional layers of bricks and rock columns were added. At a later date, some of the earlier work was intentionally concealed with a layer of soil. Between 2000 and 1100 BCE, stone terracing was incorporated to enhance the structure.
Furthermore, the research team has discovered indications of potential hollow spaces within Gunung Padang, suggesting the presence of hidden chambers. They plan to initiate drilling operations to explore these areas and utilize cameras to document their contents.
The radiocarbon dating of organic soils within the structure revealed multiple construction phases dating back several thousand years. These findings provide valuable insights into the construction chronology of Gunung Padang and demonstrate the engineering prowess of ancient civilizations during the Palaeolithic era. The research significantly contributes to our understanding of ancient architectural and engineering capabilities, shedding light on the sophisticated societies that existed millennia ago.
The study’s authors concluded that Gunung Padang stands as a remarkable testament, potentially being the oldest pyramid in the world. They emphasize the need for further investigation and interdisciplinary research to uncover the structure’s hidden secrets and gain more knowledge about the ancient civilizations that thrived at this enigmatic site.
The findings of the research team were published in the journal Archaeological Prospection, adding to the growing body of knowledge about ancient civilizations and their architectural achievements.
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