| Ah, Indonesia |
| Episode 20 Pugungraharjo Archeological Site, Lampung |
| This is an introduction of Pugungraharjo
archeological site in Lampung, in Sumatra
which I visited with my colleagues
on November
20, 2005. This site locates at 5°18'0.48"S,105°34'5.35"E. The following articles are translated from the pamphlet in Indonesian served at the site. |
 |
Cover page of the pamphlet. "Pugungraharjo Archeological Park" "Heritage for site seeing" "States Education Department" |
 |
Background Pugungraharjo archeological park consists of ruins that have been preserved until now. The megalithic culture was the one in prehistory when our ancestors have not used letters. The megalithic culture represents several characteristics such as menhirs, dolmen, tombs and stone coffins.These structures functioned as a prayer rooms, grave yards or halls. It seems that this traditions started by our ancestors after they accepted Hinduism and Buddhism, namely 6 to 15th century. Many questions rise whether this site was functioned as the advanced area for local people, or not. We provide this site for studying our history and for recreation in Lampung. Left photo shows office and small museum. |
 |
Sanctuary Pugungraharjo The Pugungraharjo was a sanctuary at that time for local people. After a few centuries passed, this area was abandoned and no one lived there. This history could preserve the origin of this site. Emigrants from Java found this site in 1954 while they reclaim natural forest. Square mounds and stone statues (called as "putri Badariah") were found at this time. Preinvestigation study started on 1968 and the detailed investigation followed. The study concluded that the Pugungraharjo site was a spot condensing culture, history and arts since prehistorical era. Location of Pugungraharjo Site This park is located at Desa Pugungraharjo, Kecamatan Jabung, Kabupaten Lampung Tenggah. It is isolated from Bandar Lampung City about 42 kilometers. A fountain at the center of this park with 30 square kilometers creates cool and comfortable climate with surrounding forests for visitors. You may find many tropical plantations for products of cloves, pepper, coffee and coconuts on your way to this site. |
 Square mound |
The investigation of this site was conducted
with help of central government and
local
government. The full-scaled investigation works were carried out in 1977 based on the results of preinvestigation study in 1968. Restoration work of structures were completed in 1984. Earthwork and fort The earthwork embankment at this site has height of 2 to 3.5 meters with ditches of 3 to 5 meters at the outside of the earthwork. Length of the earthworks is 120 meters to east-west and 30 meters north-south. This earthwork functions as a fort to protect dwellers in it from wild animals and attack of other tribes. Square mound It is observed 13 points of mound in this site with two to three steps. This mound was used for holding ceremony for the repose of their ancestors and grave yard. |
 Menhir |
Menhir(Stones for Deadmen) This menhir was functioned for holding ceremony. Center stone shapes as phallus and outer circle has elliptical shape with dimensions of 20.5 and 24 meters |
 Stone with hole |
Stone with hole This type of stones were found 19 pieces in this site. This stone is made from andesite and the recesses seemed to be used for grinding herbs to apply to body or religious ceremony or funeral services. |
 Bathing pool |
Bathing pool There is a fountain in this park which had never dried up. This fountain has been used for local people to bath still now. Local people believes that this fountain provide a magical water to cure disease. |
| Record of Site Visit on November 20, 2005 | ||
| Exhibition in the site office | ||
 |
Explanation of Site This site covers area of about 25 hectare. Era: Prehistory Classic Islam +Artefacts+ 1. Ceramic at dynasty Tang, Song, Yuan and Ching 2. Necklaces 3. Bronze products 4. Dolmen 5. Menhir 6. Shaped stones 7. Holed stones 8. Millstones 9. Stone axe Structures 1. Fort with external canal 2. Mound 3. Megalitic pool |
|
  Photos during investigation and restoration |
||
 Map of the Site |
||
 Buddha statue (Putri Badariah) |
||
 Polynesian type statue. Similar statues were found in Java as well. This is a vestige of the ancient religion here. |
||
  Menhir in the park. A white cloth covered a center stone which seems as Linga. This is a kind of ceremony for supernaturalism. |
||
 Elementary school pupils |
||
 Someone planted a red chilly at the center hole of the mound. This shows that a supernatural ceremony was conducted recently. |
||
 My friends at a mound |
||
