Gunung Padang is located in the Cianjur Regency of West Java, Indonesia. The archeological site is situated on a hill, with terraces made of massive stone blocks and columns arranged in a stepped formation. These terraces have led some researchers to speculate that Gunung Padang could be an ancient pyramid, although this interpretation is still debated.
Who Said What?
The site was initially considered relatively recent, with the Indonesian Archaeology Bureau dating it around the second to fifth century CE. However, in late 2023, a team of Indonesian and international researchers conducted extensive geological and archaeological research. They then published a paper suggesting the site was much older—27,000 years old, give or take. This challenged conventional understanding because it implied that a complex structure like Gunung Padang existed during a time when early humans were generally thought to be hunter-gatherers.
One of the key findings that led to this conclusion was the discovery of large, column-like structures buried beneath the surface of the terraces. These structures were found to extend deep into the ground, leading researchers to propose that they could be part of a much larger and older complex. Geological surveys also indicated that the hill on which Gunung Padang is located contains multiple layers of sediment, suggesting a long history of human occupation and construction activity at the site. Some researchers have proposed that the layers could represent distinct phases of construction, with the oldest layers possibly dating back tens of thousands of years.
What Are We Arguing About?
It seems not everyone's convinced. Some scientists say the methods used to date the site contained a glaring oversight, and they question whether the structures are even man-made or just natural formations. Plus, even if it is that old, some people argue it might not be a pyramid like the ones in Egypt or Mexico. Some researchers say that even if Gunung Padang is a man-made structure dating back tens of thousands of years — and that’s a big if — it may not necessarily be a pyramid or have the same cultural significance as other ancient pyramid sites worldwide. It all came to a head when the research team’s publisher printed a retraction of the paper, much to the dismay of the authors.
Why Does This Even Matter?
So, the retraction states that the radiocarbon dating used in the study was applied to soil samples not associated with human activity, leading to an incorrect interpretation of the site as an ancient pyramid. The study's lead author, Danny Natawidjaja, has argued against the retraction, calling it a form of censorship. The authors claim they have evidence of hidden cavities and meticulously sculpted rocks at the site. Still, others argue that natural processes could explain these features and that there's no evidence of human activity dating back 27,000 years.
Political and cultural factors further complicate the controversy. Gunung Padang is significant in Islam and Hinduism and has been promoted as an ancient pyramid by the Indonesian government and individuals like Graham Hancock. Both sides of the debate hold firm to their positions, with some supporting the study's conclusions and others skeptical of its evidence. Although Natawidjaja’s side is far less popular, the attention that the conflict has drawn to the site could be good news because archeologists are now more desperate than ever to find conclusive evidence about the origin of the pyramid.
