Indonesia Listed World's Ring of Culture

VIVAnews – The megalithic site of Mount Padang in Cianjur, West Java, has gained international fame following Unesco's decision to listing Indonesia as a Ring of Culture by virtue of the place. 

“The mandate was delivered directly by the Director of Unesco to the Deputy Minister of Education and Culture,” said a member of the Integrated Independent Research Team of Mount Padang, Erick Rizky to VIVAnews.

Based on the mandate, Erick said, the research team will begin to set up excavation in Mount Padang. The researchers appointed by the National Department of Archaeology of the Ministry of Education and Culture are chaired by Bagio Prasetyo and an archeologist from the University of Indonesia, Ali Akbar. 

The research has for the time been on a phase of testing to validate all preliminary researches.  

“The teams working on the issues of geology, archeology, astronomy, complexity, architecture, and philology have independently had detailed research on Mount Padang. This is a picture of Indonesia as a culturally rich country,” said Erick. 

He said that it is impossible to apply one scientific approach to study Mount Padang.  

Erick said the research will be  continued on Wednesday, June 20, and Thursday, June 21. The team will also initiate a georadar survey and a shallow sampling test in the targeted excavation area. The geologists will perform multi-lines survey with several types of antennas using different frequencies. The shallow sampling test is intended to have a quick check of the underground structure as well as directing the excavation site.

The team will conduct surface excavation on Saturday, June 23, until Sunday, June 24.