Archaeologists Discover Megalithic Ruins In Bojonegoro

Another spectacular find highlights the thousands of temples and ruins awaiting discovery in Indonesia  

TEMPO.CO
01/20/2016

BOJONEGORO -

Archaeologists have confirmed that there are megalithic ruins at the stone tombs discovered in a teakwood forest in Bojonegoro, East Java.

                                              Tempo/Rully Kesuma

Head of Culture Preservation and Development of Bojonegoros Tourism and Culture Office Suyanto said here Tuesday that a team of archaeologists from East Java found at least 10 groups of stone tombs in Tanggir Village, Malo Subdistrict of Bojonegoro. "Based on the study, the stone tombs in Tanggir Village remain untouched, there are still human bodies inside, as well as provisions," Suyanto said.

The archaeological survey, which was conducted on Saturday (Jan 17), also found some individual stone tombs scattered in the area.

There are also some stone tombs located in Kawengan Village, 15km from Tanggir Village.

However, the tombs in Kawengan had been looted and nothing remained inside those tombs.

The survey sought to map out the stone tombs found in East Java Province, including Bojonegoro, and to determine the cultural heritage status of the sites.

Suyanto said the stone tombs of Tanggir Village are linked to the story of "wong kalang" who had lived in the region.

 Robert S. Finnegan in Kebon Raya, Bogor                                   Imas Kurniawati-Finnegan 2013

Based on the local history, "wong kalang" were people who worked in the forest in the ancient kingdom.

They built the tombs on the higher grounds because they believed it would allow them to be closer to heaven, Suyanto said.

The discovery will enrich the heritage tourism destinations, which are being developed by the local administration, in cooperation with the University of National Development "Veteran" (UPNV) of Yogyakarta.

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Posted in: Indonesia