The megalithic complex of highland Jambi: An archaeological perspective

Abstract

The highlands of Sumatra remain one of the most neglected regions of insular Southeast Asia in terms of history and archaeology. No comprehensive research program incorporating both a survey and excavations within a defined geographical or environmental zone has been carried out there since Van der Hoop (1932) conducted his study of the megaliths on the Pasemah plateau in the 1930s. Meanwhile, Van der Hoop’s investigations and several other archaeological research activities at places such as northwest Lampung (McKinnon 1993), Pasemah (Sukendar and Sukidjo 1983-84; Caldwell 1997; Kusumawati and Sukendar 2000), Kerinci (Laporan 1995a, 1996a), and the Minangkabau heartland (Miksic 1986, 1987, 2004) have placed special emphasis on the megalithic remains. As a result, the megaliths are by far the bestknown archaeological attraction of the Sumatran highlands.

Traditions of Jars as Mortuary Containers in the Indo-Malaysian Archipelago

“…These sites have a documented chronological range between the seventh and sixteenth centuries AD (Table 8.5), and evidently represent a local tradition that continued into the eleventh century when megaliths started to become a prominent feature within the local settlements (Bonatz et al 2006). …”

Rock Art Research in Southeast Asia: A Synthesis

“…Its existence has been known since 1873, and its translation and context was last discussed by Caldwell and Hazlewood [111] (Figure 9). More recent work has been conducted by Bonatz et al [112], whose work in Jambi Province has uncovered some 20 megaliths, often carved with decorative motifs. Most significantly, Simanjuntak [113] reported the first discovery of painted rock art in Sumatra, at the site of Gua Harimau.…”

Uras: Medicinal and Ritual Plants of Serampas, Jambi Indonesia

“…Bonatz et al (2006) argued that the people have inhabited the region since about eleventh to thirteenth centuries AD. Campbell's expedition in 1804 confirmed that the population in the region was extremely dense compared to the surrounding areas (Marsden 1811).…”

“…They have occupied this region for many generations before the park was established in 1999 (Bonatz et al 2006), and to some degree, they still practice and maintain their traditional life-style. This includes the ways in which they use and manage natural resources and their reliance on plants for resolving health problems.…”