Dr. Danny Hilman: Archeo-geological and geophysical studies of the Gunung Padang Megalith in Cianjur, Indonesia implies lost-advanced civilizations in Sundaland before Holocene
Introduction
The existence of Gunung Padang archeological site has been reported by a geologist, Dr. Verbeek, since the mid-19 century (Veerbek, 1896). In 1914, it has been reported again by an archeologist, N.J. Krom (1915), to the Dutch-Collonial Government as an ancient cemetery structure on top of the mount. It appears that this report had not been followed by further investigations. In 1979, local people reported the presence of the site to the Indonesia Government (Bintarti, 1982; Sukendar, 1985). Since then, research activities started by archeologists from ARKENAS (National Archeological Institute) and Universities. These lead to the site reconstructions starting in 1985. In 1998, Gunung Padang was established as the Provincial-level Cultural Heritage Site based on the Decree of the Ministry of Education and Cultures No. 139/M/1998. Since then, Gunung Padang was known as the megalithic site of terraces-structure mound of stones (“struktur batu punden berundak”) (Bintarti, 1982; Ramadina, 2010; Sukendar, 1985) consists of stacks of columnar-joint rocks.
Gunung Padang megalith, acccording to this earlier research and the ministrial decree, only occupies area about 3000 m2 on top of the hill in the Karya Mukti village, Kancana Sub-District, Cianjur District, West Java.
