History of the west coast of North Sumatra before Barus: Preliminary results of archaeological research at the Bongal settlement site

Abstract

The Bongal area, near Kota Pandan, in the Tapanuli/Sibolga Bay, has been known to archaeologists since 2001 through the identification of the remains of a Ganeśa stone image. Eighteen years later, archaeologists returned to the same area to examine a large number of chance finds uncovered by local gold washers. Their observations led to undertake systematic excavations in 2021 and 2022. The aim of this article is to introduce the main categories of finds revealed since 2019 and to suggest a number of hypotheses. The surface area of the settlement site exceeds 200 hectares, covering part of the Bongal hills as well as the alluvial plain which extends toward the Lumut river. Finds include dozens of coins inscribed in Arabic, glazed and unglazed earthenware, stoneware and porcelain, glassware, various metal and alloy objects, beads, gems and faience jewel, artefacts made of wood, resins, nuts, seeds, cords, as well as ivory. The quantity and diversity of archaeological material suggest the existence of a port site dated between the 4th and 10th c. CE, participating in trade networks covering Southeast Asia, China, South Asia and the Middle East. The end of the occupation of Bongal would coincide with the beginnings of the occupation of Barus on the site of Lobu Tua, which flourished later.