RETRACTED: Geo‐archaeological prospecting of Gunung Padang buried prehistoric pyramid in West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

The multidisciplinary study of Gunung Padang has revealed compelling evidence of a complex and sophisticated megalithic site. Correlations between rock stratifications observed through surface exposures, trenching and core logs, combined with GPR facies, ERT layers, and seismic tomograms, demonstrate the presence of multi‐layer constructions spanning approximately 20–30 m. Notably, a high‐resistive anomaly in electric resistivity tomography aligns with a low‐velocity anomaly detected in seismic tomography, indicating the existence of hidden cavities or chambers within the site. Additionally, drilling operations revealed significant water loss, further supporting the presence of underground spaces. Radiocarbon dating of organic soils from the structures uncovered multiple construction stages dating back thousands of years BCE, with the initial phase dating to the Palaeolithic era. These findings offer valuable insights into the construction history of Gunung Padang, shedding light on the engineering capabilities of ancient civilizations during the Palaeolithic era.

The Culture-Related Development of Architecture in the Neolithic Period

“…At least one of its units was built in the timeframe of 25,000-14,000 BCE. However, it concerns only the oldest part of its complex and multiple-phased construction process; this unit was sculpted in the natural lava hill and then architecturally developed, probably with underground chambers (Natawidjaja et al, 2023). Afterward, the site was abandoned until 7,900-6,100 BCE, when it was deliberately buried with soil.…”