gunung padang

FACT ABOUT GUNUNG PADANG

A Shocking Discovery
Indonesia is home to numerous prehistoric megalithic sites, but none have caused as much global stir as the discovery of Gunung Padang. This ancient site has captured the attention of geologists and scientists worldwide, challenging conventional historical narratives. The significance of Gunung Padang lies in two shocking revelations: its age and its scale—both of which could rewrite history as we know it.

The Age of the Site
Gunung Padang consists of five distinct terraces or layers, each representing a different period. Radiocarbon dating reveals that the top layer is approximately 3,500 to 5,000 years old. However, deeper core samples taken from 5 to 12 meters below the surface were dated by Beta Analytic Laboratory in Miami, Florida, and yielded astonishing results: between 14,500 and 25,000 BC.
The deeper the samples, the older they are. This suggests that ancient people built the site layer by layer over thousands of years. After completing a layer, they intentionally buried it and constructed a new one above. This process was repeated multiple times, eventually forming the current hilltop structure. The purpose and duration of this massive project remain a mystery.
If accurate, these findings make Gunung Padang significantly older than the Great Pyramid of Giza, which dates to around 2,551 BC. Such an ancient origin hints at the existence of a highly advanced prehistoric civilization. Intriguingly, its estimated age even predates the last Ice Age, raising comparisons with the legendary sunken civilization of Atlantis, first described by the Greek philosopher Plato.

Size Does Matter
When measured using modern technology, Gunung Padang isn’t just a megalithic site—it qualifies as a gigalithic site. The visible upper structure alone features five terraces, measuring around 150 meters long and 40 meters wide. But geophysical scans reveal that the underground construction is much larger than what’s seen on the surface.

The 2011–2014 Government Investigation
In 2011, Andi Arief, a special staff member to the President of Indonesia for disaster and social affairs, initiated a government-funded investigation involving a multidisciplinary team of archaeologists and geologists. The president at that time was Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The investigation used three primary methods:
Core drilling with radiocarbon dating
Excavation
Geophysical scanning

Core Drilling & Radiocarbon Dating
Core drilling reached depths of up to 35 meters, extracting materials for dating by Indonesia’s National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN) and Beta Analytic Laboratory in the U.S.
In 2012, BATAN reported that paleosoil from 3.5 meters below the surface dated back to 4,700 BC.
Beta Analytic later dated deeper samples (5–12 meters deep) to 14,500–25,000 BC.
These results sparked heated debates among scientists. While some supported the findings, others questioned the accuracy, noting that radiocarbon dating has limitations. Still, many regard it as more reliable than speculative historical guesses.

Geophysical Scanning
Dr. Danny Hilman Natawidjaja, a senior Indonesian geologist, led the geophysical survey using ground-penetrating radar and geoelectric sensors. These scans revealed three underground chambers located 15–30 meters beneath the surface. One chamber is especially large—about 9 meters wide, 10 meters long, and 5 meters high—resembling the size of a small house.

Excavation
Excavating Gunung Padang proved challenging. The upper layers consisted of man-made ancient mortar soil, extremely hard and durable. Laboratory tests showed that the mortar is composed of 45% iron minerals, 40% silica, and the rest is a mix of clay and carbon—a composition indicating sophisticated engineering.
During excavation, the team uncovered an unusual artifact: a hewn stone shaped like a Kujang, a traditional weapon from West Java. The porous, pumice-like stone was surprisingly heavy and was aptly named the Kujang Stone.
The team only excavated down to 4 meters before refilling the pits to preserve the site’s integrity.

Sudden Suspension of Research
In 2014, the government abruptly halted the excavation and research, and funding was cut off without explanation. That same year, an indigenous entrepreneur reportedly offered 12 trillion rupiah (around USD 1 billion)—plus full research funding—in exchange for a 60% stake to develop the site as a tourist destination. However, the offer was declined.

Conclusion
The discoveries at Gunung Padang, if verified further, could dramatically alter our understanding of human civilization. With its unprecedented age, enormous scale, and advanced construction techniques, this site continues to puzzle experts and inspire awe. Whether a missing chapter of history or a key to an ancient mystery, Gunung Padang is more than just a pile of stones—it may be a gateway to rewriting our past.